Shangi, Rwanda
Sector in Western Province, Rwanda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shangi (ⓘ) is a sector in Nyamasheke District in the Western Province, Rwanda. It is located at the southern shores of Lake Kivu.
Shangi | |
|---|---|
Sector | |
  Shangi Location in Rwanda | |
| Coordinates: 2°24′12″S 29°0′21″E | |
| Country |  Rwanda |
| Admin. Province | Western Province |
| District | Nyamasheke |
| Area | |
• Total | 34.69 km2 (13.39 sq mi) |
| Population (2022 census)[1] | |
• Total | 28,064 |
| Climate | Aw |
History
Kigeli IV Rwabugiri, ruler of the Kingdom of Rwanda, reportedly won a major victory over the Nkore people at Shangi during his last military operations (c. 1894/95).[2]
In 1896, a Congo Free State expedition crossed the borders of the Kingdom of Rwanda. The "several hundred" Congolese-Belgian troops under Lieutenant Constantin Sandrart set up a fortified camp on a hill at Shangi, challenging the Rwandan control over the area. In resoponse, the Rwandan royal army attacked the camp in the Battle of Shangi, but was defeated.[3][4] Despite this, the Congo Free State force peacefully withdrew in late 1897 due to internal problems.[5] At this point, Rwanda had submitted to the German Empire, and the German Schutztruppe subsequently established its own military camp at Shangi to secure the border.[5]
Disputes continued between Germany and the Congo Free State over the territory, but the "Shangi Problem" was eventually solved through further negotiations and the work of a border commission.[6] The Belgians also set up a new position near Shangi.[7] Shangi subsequently became a center for European exploration of the region, with Richard Kandt using it as a base.[8]
In the Rwandan genocide of 1994, Shangi's church became a "death-trap", as many Tutsi gathered at the location for protection but were then massacred by Interahamwe militants.[9]