A Rwandan Tutsi who survived the genocide and shared her life story with Gourevitch, offering a personal account of the years of discrimination and terror faced by the Tutsi community.

A Hutu known for protecting Tutsis and Hutu oppositionists at the Hotel des Mille Collines during the genocide, using limited resources to negotiate and save lives.

A Tutsi who was imprisoned during retaliation against an RPF advance and later survived the genocide, sharing his experiences with Gourevitch to highlight the broader impact on survivors.

The leader of the RPF who played a key role in overthrowing the genocidal regime, later becoming Rwanda's president and working to rebuild the country post-genocide.

A pastor accused of enabling a massacre against Tutsi congregants during the genocide, whom Gourevitch tracks to the United States where he denies any wrongdoing.

The President of Rwanda leading up to the genocide, known for his dictatorship and policies that incited tribal hatred and discrimination against Tutsis.

Wife of President Habyarimana, suspected of complicity in the genocide and known for her influential role within the extremist group akazu.

The producer of the inflammatory publication Kangura, which incited violence against Tutsis and contributed to the socialization of Hutu extremism.

The leader of UNAMIR who attempted to warn the UN about the impending genocide but was hindered by an ineffective mandate, highlighting international neglect.

The dictator of Zaire during and after the genocide, who exploited the situation for personal gain by supporting and aiding Hutu extremists.