The First Republic (1962–1973) and its downfall

1Why this matters

Independence on 1 July 1962 meant that Rwandans governed themselves for the first time since 1897. That was a real achievement. But independence alone did not bring freedom to every citizen. The First Republic kept the colonial ethnic labels and turned discrimination into state policy. Knowing how that happened helps you understand why today's Rwanda puts national unity at the centre of its Constitution.

A republic is a state whose head is elected or appointed rather than a hereditary monarch. A single-party state is one where only one political party is allowed to hold power.

2Leadership

The First Republic was led by President Grégoire Kayibanda (elected by the Legislative Assembly on 26 October 1961) and his party, PARMEHUTU. A constitution was adopted in November 1962.

3Socio-political changes

• The monarchy was gone and the republic was confirmed.
• Discrimination became government policy. The ethnic label stayed on identity cards. Tutsi were increasingly shut out of government posts, and officials argued that places in schools and jobs should be limited in proportion to each group.
• Refugees were denied the right to return. The Tutsi who had fled since 1959 remained in exile in Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Congo.
• Repeated violence against Tutsi. Small armed groups of refugees attacked Rwanda several times between 1961 and 1967. The government used these attacks as a pretext to punish Tutsi inside the country. After an attack in December 1963, thousands of Tutsi civilians were killed in December 1963 and January 1964, especially in Gikongoro, and leaders of the opposition parties UNAR and RADER were executed. Some observers at the time described the killings as genocide.
• One-party rule. By 1965 PARMEHUTU was the only legal party. Kayibanda was re-elected unopposed in 1965 and 1969.
• Regionalism. Power became concentrated among people from Kayibanda's home area of Gitarama, and politicians from the north were pushed aside.
• Some development. The National University of Rwanda opened in Butare in 1963, and primary schooling expanded. The economy, however, stayed poor and dependent on coffee, tea, tin and foreign aid.

4The downfall of the First Republic

• 1973 persecution. In February and March 1973, committees in schools, the university and workplaces drove out Tutsi students and workers. Some were killed and many fled the country.
• North–south rivalry inside the army and the party. Northern officers resented the dominance of Gitarama.
• Economic stagnation and poverty weakened support for the government.
• The coup of 5 July 1973. The Minister of Defence, Major General Juvénal Habyarimana, a northerner, seized power. Kayibanda was detained and died in detention on 15 December 1976. Dozens of First Republic officials were killed in detention in the following years.

Worked example: a "features" answer

Question: Describe three features of the First Republic.

(1) Discrimination as policy: ethnic labels stayed on identity cards and Tutsi were excluded from posts, schools and jobs. (2) One-party rule: by 1965 PARMEHUTU was the only legal party and Kayibanda ran unopposed. (3) Regionalism: power was concentrated in Gitarama. Each feature is named, then supported with a specific piece of evidence.

Practice

Solution. President Grégoire Kayibanda, with PARMEHUTU.

Solution. It used them as a pretext to punish Tutsi civilians inside Rwanda: thousands were killed in December 1963 and January 1964, especially in Gikongoro, and opposition leaders were executed.

Solution. Favouring people because of the region they come from. Under Kayibanda, power was concentrated among people from Gitarama.

Solution. Any three of: the 1973 persecution of Tutsi and the resulting instability; north–south rivalry in the army and party; economic stagnation; the military coup of 5 July 1973.