Grégoire Kayibanda

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Lore & Background

Kayibanda was born on 1 May 1924 in Tare, Rwanda. He studied his primary school at Tare then at Kabgayi. Kayibanda was admitted in Saint Léon Minor Seminary of Kabgayi in 1937. After the completion of minor seminary in 1943, he continued to Major Seminary of Nyakibanda where he studied for four years. He founded the political party Parmehutu (Parti du Mouvement de l'Emancipation Hutu; Hutu Emancipation Movement Party), and wrote his 'Bahutu Manifesto' in 1957. In reaction, in 1959 Tutsis founded the UNAR party, made up of those who desired immediate independence for Ruanda-Urundi based on the existing Tutsi monarchy. Skirmishes began between UNAR and PARMEHUTU groups. Kayibanda's successful campaign brought the majority Hutu to power for the first time in Rwanda. In 1961 the Rwandan monarchy was dissolved and a brief transitional administration was led by Dominique Mbonyumutwa before the establishment of the First Rwandese Republic. Rwanda became independent at midnight on 1 July 1962. Kayibanda spoke at ceremonies later that day to commemorate the occasion, thanking the people who had contributed to the country's independence. He also thanked the work of the Belgians, Germans, and United Nations in developing the country. He said, 'Though the Belgians made some mistakes here, the net result of their effort has been most positive,' and appealed to them and other countries for technical aid. He led Rwanda's first delegation to the United Nations General Assembly on 18 September. Kayibanda was elected president on 26 October. Over the next three years, Kayibanda increased his power step by step. By 1965, Parmehutu was the only legal party in the country. At elections held that year, Kayibanda appeared alone on the ballot for president. He was reelected in 1969, again as the only candidate. In both elections, a single list of Parmehutu candidates was returned to the legislature. The 1962 constitution of Rwanda, enacted by Kayibanda's regime, proscribed communist activities and propaganda as Belgian settlers conditioned the gain of independence to the rejection of Communism, in the era of the iron curtain. Kayibanda pursued a pro-Western, anticommunist foreign policy. Rwanda enjoyed cordial relations with the Republic of China, while strongly criticizing the People's Republic of China's policies in Africa. Kayibanda's government adopted a generally neutral stance on the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Vietnam War. On 5 July 1973 defense minister Major General Juvénal Habyarimana overthrew Kayibanda in a military coup, beginning the second Rwandese republic. Although described as bloodless, as a result of the coup, an estimated 55 people, mostly officials, lawyers or businessmen close to the previous regime, were reportedly executed. The families of these people were given sums of money to pay for their silence. The new government held Kayibanda and his wife, Vérédiana Kayibanda, in a secret location (rumored to be a house near Kabgayi), where they were reportedly 'starved to death.'

Reader's Guide

Grégoire Kayibanda's significance lies in his role as the first President of Rwanda from 1962 to 1973, leading the country's independence from Belgium and replacing the Tutsi monarchy with the First Rwandese Republic. He founded the Parmehutu party and wrote the 'Bahutu Manifesto' in 1957, spearheading the Hutu emancipation movement that brought the Hutu majority to power for the first time. His presidency established a pro-Hutu policy and a de facto one-party system, with Parmehutu becoming the only legal party by 1965. Kayibanda was reelected in 1969 as the only candidate. His regime proscribed communist activities and pursued a pro-Western, anticommunist foreign policy, including cordial relations with the Republic of China and criticism of the People's Republic of China's policies in Africa. His government adopted a generally neutral stance on the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Vietnam War. In the presidential elections of 1973, a project extended the presidential term from 4 to 5 years and eliminated the age limit of 60 years. With North-South regionalist rivalries, Kayibanda's regime was accused of concentrating power in the hands of nationals from his native prefecture, Gitarama. On 5 July 1973, defense minister Major General Juvénal Habyarimana overthrew him in a military coup. An estimated 55 people close to the previous regime were reportedly executed. Kayibanda and his wife were held in a secret location, where they were reportedly 'starved to death.'

Did You Know?

• Kayibanda wrote his 'Bahutu Manifesto' in 1957, which helped spark the Hutu emancipation movement.
• He led Rwanda's first delegation to the United Nations General Assembly on 18 September 1962.
• At independence ceremonies on 1 July 1962, Kayibanda said, 'Though the Belgians made some mistakes here, the net result of their effort has been most positive.'
• By 1965, Parmehutu was the only legal party in Rwanda, and Kayibanda appeared alone on the ballot for president.
• After his overthrow, Kayibanda and his wife were reportedly 'starved to death' in a secret location near Kabgayi.