This article again reminds me of how little I am able to understand both the causes of the genocide and the current state of affairs with a government representative being held for trial in France. So far, all I am getting is that (1) the former President of Rwanda was possibly murdered by plane crash, and (2) that act somehow inspired Hutus (?) to go on a rampage and murder millions of Tutsis, along with Hutus who were sympathetic to the Tutsis' situation.

As I understand it, Hutus (the majority population) and Tutsis (those in position of political power) actually got along well - intermarried and lived amicably together - before the massacre.

What I still don't understand is how it is that Rwanda still has a Tutsi President (if the idigenous majority population is Hutu); why Pres. Kagame has so much of a problem with the French; and whether the Hutu population has an equal vote in Rwanda's government.

Sorry to be so abysmally ignorant, but I'm sure I'm not alone, and all the stories I see are either focused on the genocide and remembrances or to the current legal problem with holding a Rwandan official captive for trial in France.

This is a truly baffling situation that I WANT to understand because I sponsor a young boy in Rwanda and very much care about the world he is growing up in.

Thank you to whoever might be willing to help improve my understanding.

I think you are falling into the trap of division as many people did before and during and after genocide. If Rwanda is composed of majority or minority groups that doesn't prevent any Rwandan from becoming a leader. Kagame is the president of Rwanda as any Rwandan can become a president. I am surprised to see how you are confused about the situation of Rwanda. there are many information about Rwanda history. I would like to inform you that in new Rwanda no hutu, tutsi or twa but three in one group "ABANYARWANDA". Rwandans need to reconstruct their countries and are tired of hearing some deliberate words of division.

If Obama can become president of the U.S then Kagame became President of Rwanda period. Hope that is one of the answers yuo need ie Obama is not from the majority whites though ours was and is still being amplified from overseas.