Rwanda

American  

[roo-ahn-duh] / ruˈɑn də /

noun

1. a republic in central Africa, E of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: formerly comprising the N part of the Belgian trust territory of Ruanda-Urundi; became independent 1962. 10,169 sq. mi. (26,338 sq. km). Kigali.

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Rwanda British  

/ rʊˈændə /

noun

1. Former name (until 1962): Ruanda.  a republic in central Africa: part of German East Africa from 1899 until 1917, when Belgium took over the administration; became a republic in 1961 after a Hutu revolt against the Tutsi (1959); fighting between the ethnic groups broke out repeatedly after independence, culminating in the genocide of Tutsis by Hutus in 1994. Official languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili. Religion: Roman Catholic, African Protestant, Muslim, and animist. Currency: Rwanda franc. Capital: Kigali. Pop: 12 012 589 (2013 est). Area: 26 338 sq km (10 169 sq miles)

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Rwanda Cultural  

1. Republic in central Africa bordered by Uganda to the north, Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Burundi on the south, and Tanzania on the east. Its capital is Kigali.

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It has long been marked by ethnic strife between majority Hutus and dominant Tutsis. When its president died in a suspicious plane cash in 1994, Hutu militia massacred at least 500,000 Tutsis in an act of genocide.

Rwanda gained its independence from Belgium in 1962.

Other Word Forms

• Rwandan adjective

Example Sentences

“We are ready to leave Mozambique if our work and achievements are not appreciated,” Rwanda Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe wrote in a series of pointed social-media messages in March.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The Rwandans knew the U.S. had an overriding interest in checking Islamic State’s advance in the southern African country, and only Rwanda has proven willing and able to take on the job, the officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

They pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Rwanda would disengage its forces and lift "defensive measures... in defined areas in DR Congo's territory", the statement says.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take "concrete steps" to ease tensions amid a stalled peace process, after talks hosted by the US in Washington.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Farmer continues to consult with Haitian doctors in Zanmi Lasante, but most of his clinic work is in Rwanda, where he lives with Didi and two of their three children.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French