In the previous article in this series, we saw how a monarchy described as Tutsi-based was replaced with a Hutu-based republic. In both cases the Tutsi and Hutu masses were used by the elites and the Belgian trusteeship authority. In the course of this article, it will be realized the masses of both groups were used but did not share in wielding power with those using them. Tutsi peasants shared the fate of the Tutsi aristocracy. They did not taste power deal with them. It would be wrong to contend that all Hutus controlled power equally and that all Tutsis controlled power. Two minority groups (elites) either Hutu or Tutsi competed for power and were opposed to each other. The masses (Hutus and Tutsis) hang between the leaders and trusteeship authority. Some in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church played the role of referee in the situation. From 1959, there were changes in structures and political actors. It is an undeniable fact of history. It did not suffice to usher in a more democratic system beneficial to the masses. This was contrary to the views of proponents of the 1959 revolution. The image of the new regime was turnished by divisionism and violence. Splits and continuities in social regression went on. It culminated in the first republic. In the second republic, social strife was further radicalized. Before colonization, Rwanda had existed and organized for many centuries. It was a nation-state and was jealous of safeguarding its sovereignty. Neighbouring kingdoms doubted her ambitious policy of territorial annexation and assimilation. Rwanda gained independence on July 1, 1962. The first republic spanned the period from 1962 to 1973. Rwanda inherited from the Belgian colonialists an ideological and administrative model of neo-colonial character. Changes after independence included getting a constitution for the first time, a government headed by a president and a parliament. The country acceded to independence without a constitution. On January 20, 1961 during the coup of Gitarama, PARMEHUTU party leaders prepared what was a semblance of a constitution. It was not published in the Official Gazette of Rwanda-Urundi nor in Rwanda's official journal. The colonial administration continued to legislate on behalf of the new authority. When the national legislative assembly was tasked to propose a draft constitution, it did not revise the Gitarama text. It simply embarked on designing a new project. The national assembly constituted itself into a constituent assembly which studied a draft constitution submitted by both PARMEHUTU and APROSOMA. It was put to vote in the session of November 23, 1962. It had 33 votes in favour and none voted against it. There were 4 abstentions, 3 from UNAR and 1 from APROSOMA. The final text was signed on November 24 by 40 members of parliament. The constitution of November 24, 1962 was prepared with the help of Belgian Jurists. There was the willingness to part from the past by endorsing a republican system of government. Article 2 of the constitution stipulated that the king’s regime and its dynasty were stripped of their royal prerogatives. This confirmed through constitutional means the results of the referendum. Article 25 stipulated that all forms of slavery were abolished. Critics viewed this as unnecessary because Ubuhake, the feudal-type system referred hereto, had been abolished by King Mutara III Rudahigwa in 1954. The 1962 constitution was biased in favour of Christianity at the expense of other religious denominations. It also favoured the capitalist camp. More will be realized as we progress through the republican regime.
