Gaspard Cyimana
1st Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of Rwanda
In office
26 October 1960 – 12 June 1968
PresidentGregoire Kayibanda
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byFidèle Nzanana
1st Minister of Planning
In office
25 September 1961 – 6 February 1963
PresidentGregoire Kayibanda
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byThaddée Bagaragaza
1st Minister of Commerce and Industry
In office
6 January 1964 – 13 December 1965
PresidentGregoire Kayibanda
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byAnastase Makuza
2nd Minister of Public Services
In office
6 February 1963 – 6 January 1964
PresidentGregoire Kayibanda
Preceded byLazare Mpakaniye
Succeeded byFroduald Minani
2nd Minister of Justice
Interim
In office
13 February 1963 – 9 September 1963
PresidentGregoire Kayibanda
Preceded byAnastase Makuza
Succeeded byCallixte Habamenshi
Member of Parliament for Byumba
In office
25 September 1961 – 29 September 1969
1st President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In office
22 November 1973 – 6 February 1982
Vice PresidentBalthazar Bicamumpaka
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byMarc Hanyurwimfura
Personal details
Born(1930-05-30)May 30, 1930
Rulindo, Ruanda-Urundi
DiedFebruary 6, 1982(1982-02-06) (aged 51)
NationalityRwandan
SpouseAgnes Verrycken (m. 1961)
Children3
EducationPetit Séminaire de Kabgayi
Alma mater

Gaspard Cyimana (May 30, 1930 – February 6, 1982) was a Rwandan statesman, industrialist, economist, and leader of independence who served as the 1st Minister of Finance of Rwanda. Cyimana was one of the Founding Fathers of the Republic of Rwanda, signing the original 1961 Constitution of Rwanda and the subsequent 1962 Constitution of Rwanda.[1] He was a top leader of Rwandan independence from Belgium.[2] Cyimana was a leader of Hutu-Tutsi reconciliation, arguing for the necessity of a multi-ethnic society for Rwanda to be prosperous and economically feasible, and was a signer of the 1960 Entente Between the Tutsi-Hutu Youth of Rwanda.[3] He served as the 1st Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Planning of Rwanda from 1960–1968.

Cyimana was considered one of the primary leaders and most important political figures of the new nation.[4][5] Cyimana was the most outspoken critic of nepotism and the lack of qualifications among certain officials within the 1st Republic.[6] He campaigned in parliament for civil examinations, competence tests, and public announcements of all remunerations to government officials as needed reforms.[7] Cyimana served as a Member of Parliament representing Byumba from 1961-1969. He resigned from the cabinet in 1968 as a result of the Guta Umurongo. He was the President of the National Chamber of Commerce and became an entrepreneur for the rest of his life.

Early life and education

A dignified democracy by its own name demands the existence of political parties. A unique party is not conceivable but in a dictatorial regime and that is not our goal. Moreover, no man possesses the monopoly on truth, it is good for those in power from time to time to hear the point of view of others on the way to wage public affairs.


—Gaspard Cyimana (1959) [8]

Gaspard Cyimana was born in Rulindo, Ruanda-Urundi on May 30, 1930 in the province of Byumba.[9]

Cyimana performed well as a student, graduating first in his class at Saint Léon Minor Seminary of Kabgayi.[10][11] He proceeded to study philosophy at the Grand Seminary of Nyakibanda where his continued academic excellence resulted in him being one of the first Rwandans to study abroad after he received a scholarship.[12] He received his second university degree from the University of Lovanium in the Belgian Congo, studying Political Science and Administrative Studies.[13] The High Council of Rwanda granted Cyimana a 2nd scholarship on behalf of King Mutara III to study finance and economics in Belgium at the University of Antwerp on account of his intellectual brilliance, becoming one of the first Rwandans to study in Europe.[14][15]

Cyimana became politically active during his studies in Belgium, staying in close contact with intellectuals in Rwanda.[16] In early 1960, he was appointed as the representative of Ruanda at the Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference which negotiated the final terms of Congolese Independence.[17] He finished his studies in 1960 and was appointed Minister of Finance in the provisional government upon his return to Rwanda.

Career

Minister of Finance Gaspard Cyimana and President Gregoire Kayibanda of Rwanda visit United States President John Kennedy and Soapy Williams in the Oval Office following Rwanda's admission to the United Nations (1962)

While an economics student in Belgium, Cyimana advocated for independence from Belgium and major reforms of the Rwandan political system. In his two most prominent works, he argued for a more equitable distribution of political power between the three ethnic groups, called for the end of the abuse of commoners by the aristocracy, and proposed a full set of reforms that could preserve the monarchy.[18] He favored democracy as a way to return power to the people and a multiparty system.[19] In the lead up to independence, Cyimana was selected to serve as Minister of Finance in the provisional government and then as the official Minister of Finance in the 1st government.[20][21][22] He continued to serve until his resignation in 1968.

During his tenure, Cyimana established the national financial system, the National Bank of Rwanda, the Development Bank of Rwanda, the Bank of Kigali, the Commercial Bank of Rwanda and introduced the Rwandan franc as the national currency.[23]

He entered the private sector following his time as Minister.

Personal life

Cyimana married Agnes Verrycken in Belgium in 1961.[24] They had three children and one grandson.

References

  1. ↑ Nkundabagenzi, F. (1961). Rwanda Politique: 1958–1960. Centre de Recherche et d’Information Socio-Politiques. Bruxelles. Print. (Page 397)
  2. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history. (Page 385)
  3. ↑ Nkundabagenzi, Fidèle. Rwanda Politique (Page 198 and 366). Bruxelles: The Centre, 1961. Print.
  4. ↑ Brelvi, Mahmud. Islam in Africa: Foreword by M. M. Sharif. Pakistan, Institute of Islamic Culture, 1964. (Page 527)
  5. ↑ Memo from Belgium: Ruanda-Urundi. (1961, September). Ministry for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Belgium. (Page 34)
  6. ↑ WAGONER, FRED E. Nation Building In Africa: A Description And Analysis Of The Development of Rwanda, American University, Ann Arbor, 1968. (Page 385)
  7. ↑ WAGONER, FRED E. Nation Building In Africa: A Description And Analysis Of The Development of Rwanda, American University, Ann Arbor, 1968. (Page 365)
  8. ↑ Nkundabagenzi, F. (1961). Rwanda Politique: 1958–1960. Centre de Recherche et d’Information Socio-Politiques. Bruxelles. Print. (Page 73)
  9. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leadersLondon, Paul Hamlyn, 1967
  10. ↑ John F. Kennedy National Security Files, 1961–1963, Africa. (1962, September). Rwanda-Burundi-September 19, 1962. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston, Massachusetts. (Page 10)
  11. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359)
  12. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359)
  13. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359)
  14. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967
  15. ↑ Rapport de la 10ème session du conseil supérieur du pays du 16-22 février 1957, p. 11.
  16. ↑ Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leadersLondon, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359)
  17. ↑ DOCUMENT 20: RÉSOLUTIONS DE LA CONFÉRENCE DE LA TABLE RONDE ÉCONOMIQUE LE 16 MAI 1960 Chronique de Politique Étrangère, vol. 13, no. 4/6, Egmont Institute, 1960, pp. 512–25
  18. ↑ Nkundabagenzi, Fidele (1961). Rwanda Politique. Bruxelles: Centre de Recherche et d'Information Socio-Politiques. pp. 55–74.
  19. ↑ Nkundabagenzi, Fidèle. Rwanda Politique. Bruxelles: The Centre, 1961. Print. (Page 55-74)
  20. ↑ Tsuruta, Aya. “‘It is difficult to understand Rwandan history’: contested history of ethnicity and dynamics of conflicts in Rwanda during Revolution and Independence.” 2014.
  21. ↑ “LE RUANDA A UN NOUVEAU GOUVERNEMENT.” Le Monde, 11 Nov. 1965.
  22. ↑ Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments. Central Intelligence Agency. National Foreign Assessment Center. Washington DC.(1961-1968)
  23. ↑ Kigali, Carrefour d'Afrique, French, February 1968, pp 10-11
  24. ↑ “Love Finds a Way.” Jet Magazine, 11 Jan. 1962, p. 36.

Works cited

  • Nkundabagenzi, Fidele (1961). Rwanda Politique. Bruxelles: Centre de Recherche et d'Information Socio-Politiques.
  • Fifty Correspondents of Reuters News Agency (1967). The New Africans: A guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders. London: Paul Hamlyn Ltd.
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