Page "History of Rwanda" Paragraph 41

In 1960, the Belgian government agreed to hold democratic municipal elections in Rwanda-Urundi.

The Hutu majority elected Hutu representatives.

Such changes ended the Tutsi monarchy, which had existed for centuries.

A Belgian effort to create an independent Rwanda-Urundi with Tutsi-Hutu power sharing failed, largely due to escalating violence.

At the urging of the UN, the Belgian government divided Rwanda-Urundi into two separate countries, Rwanda and Burundi.

On 25 September 1961, a referendum was held to establish whether Rwanda should become a republic or remain a kingdom.

Citizens voted overwhelmingly for a republic.

After parliamentary elections held on the same day, the first Rwandese Republic was declared, with Kayibanda as prime minister.

Mbonyumutwa was named the first president of the transitional government.