On 16 April , leaders of the Rwandan genocide began to move against their local opposition . Up to this point , key military officers , and prefects had opposed the outbreak of genocidal violence ; some were killed , while others eventually yielded under political pressure and threats of violence . On 16 April several key figures were taken down including Marcel Gatsinzi , Army Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Armed Forces ( FAR ) . Gatzini was promoted to general , along with Léonidas Rusatira , while Augustin Bizimungu took over as Army Chief of Staff ; but not all opposition leaders lost their positions on 16 April
Rwandan genocide
Rwandan genocide
Gitarama Province