Gaspard Cyimana (May 30, 1930 – February 6, 1982) was a Rwandan statesman, industrialist, economist, and independence leader who served as the first Minister of Finance of Rwanda. He was one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Rwanda and signed both the 1961 Constitution of Rwanda and the subsequent 1962 Constitution of Rwanda.Nkundabagenzi, F. (1961). Rwanda Politique: 1958–1960. Centre de Recherche et d’Information Socio-Politiques. Bruxelles. Print. (Page 397) He was a top leader of Rwandan independence from Belgium.Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history. (Page 385) 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.Nkundabagenzi, Fidèle. Rwanda Politique (Page 198 and 366). Bruxelles: The Centre, 1961. Print. He served as the 1st Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Planning of Rwanda from 1960–1968.

He was considered one of the primary leaders and most important political figures of the new nation.Brelvi, Mahmud. Islam in Africa: Foreword by M. M. Sharif. Pakistan, Institute of Islamic Culture, 1964. (Page 527)Memo from Belgium: Ruanda-Urundi. (1961, September). Ministry for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Belgium. (Page 34) Cyimana was the most outspoken critic of nepotism and the lack of qualifications among certain officials within the 1st Republic.WAGONER, FRED E. Nation Building In Africa: A Description And Analysis Of The Development of Rwanda, American University, Ann Arbor, 1968. (Page 385) He campaigned in parliament for civil examinations, competence tests, and public announcements of all remunerations to government officials as needed reforms.WAGONER, FRED E. Nation Building In Africa: A Description And Analysis Of The Development of Rwanda, American University, Ann Arbor, 1968. (Page 365) 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

Gaspard Cyimana was born in Rulindo, Ruanda-Urundi on May 30, 1930 in the province of Byumba.Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leadersLondon, Paul Hamlyn, 1967

Cyimana performed well as a student, graduating first in his class at Saint Léon Minor Seminary of Kabgayi.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)Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359) 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.Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359) He received his second university degree from the University of Lovanium in the Belgian Congo, studying Political Science and Administrative Studies.Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359) 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.Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leaders London, Paul Hamlyn, 1967Rapport de la 10ème session du conseil supérieur du pays du 16-22 février 1957, p. 11.

Cyimana became politically active during his studies in Belgium, staying in close contact with intellectuals in Rwanda.Davidson, R. (1967). The New Africans: Reuters guide to the contemporary history of emergent Africa and its leadersLondon, Paul Hamlyn, 1967 (Page 359) In early 1960, he was appointed the representative of Ruanda at the Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference which negotiated the final terms of Congolese Independence.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 He finished his studies in 1960 and was appointed Minister of Finance in the provisional government upon his return to Rwanda.

Career

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. He favored democracy as a way to return power to the people and a multiparty system.Nkundabagenzi, Fidèle. Rwanda Politique. Bruxelles: The Centre, 1961. Print. (Page 55-74) 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.Tsuruta, Aya. “‘It is difficult to understand Rwandan history’: contested history of ethnicity and dynamics of conflicts in Rwanda during Revolution and Independence.” 2014.“LE RUANDA A UN NOUVEAU GOUVERNEMENT.” Le Monde, 11 Nov. 1965.Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments. Central Intelligence Agency. National Foreign Assessment Center. Washington DC.(1961-1968) 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.Kigali, Carrefour d'Afrique, French, February 1968, pp 10-11

He entered the private sector following his time as Minister.

Personal life Cyimana married Agnes Verrycken in Belgium in 1961.“Love Finds a Way.” Jet Magazine, 11 Jan. 1962, p. 36. They had three children and one grandson.

References

Works cited