Rwanda, an African state with a troubled history, is scheduled to hold a presidential election Aug. 9.

Its difficult time as a modern country began in 1959, although the roots of its problems go way back. For centuries Rwanda was ruled by a Tutsi minority of herdsmen, which maintained authority by force over a Hutu agricultural underclass that was about 85 percent of the population. Germans and then Belgians ruled indirectly through the Tutsis. As independence approached, so did the concept of one-person, one-vote, which in practice overturned the traditional order, including causing a Tutsi exodus.

The Tutsis in exile never gave up their desire to rule the country. In anticipation of a possible Tutsi military reconquest in 1994, the Hutus, who had ruled from 1959 until then, carried out a savage genocide not only against the Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.

Tutsi forces, led now by President Paul Kagame, who was trained in part in the United States, took over in 1994 when many of the Hutus fled into exile. The United States, the United Nations and the rest of the world stood still for both the genocide, which claimed an estimated 800,000 people, and the Tutsi takeover. They have ruled ever since.

The Tutsis have made a credible effort not to have the vote take place on a Tutsi vs. Hutu basis. The Tutsis, with less than 14 percent of the population, would lose disastrously if that were to be the case. At the same time, in part because Rwanda's friend the United States, European countries that have been generous with aid, and other investors and donors are advocates of democracy, the Tutsis cannot afford to be heavy-handed with their electoral tactics.

Even so, some political opponents of Mr. Kagame have disappeared, or -- to use a term -- have been disappeared, or were imprisoned. These include a journalist, a senior military officer, some candidates and the vice president of Rwanda's Democratic Green Party. Other candidates opposed Mr. Kagame, but he is expected to win.

Whether the Obama administration will view the Rwandan elections as fair and democratic remains to be seen. The administration recognizes the value of democracy, but it also sees Rwanda's bloody history and desires stability in Central Africa. This will not be an easy call.

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