Since Belgium began colonizing Rwanda in 1917, it implemented several oppressive policies that divided Rwandans. Among them was the introduction of forced labor punishments known as "ikiboko," which involved caning individuals who failed to complete their assigned labor.
In 1930, Belgium introduced identity cards that classified Rwandans into artificial ethnic groups. These identity cards later played a key role in the Genocide against the Tutsi, as they were used to identify those targeted for killing.
The 1978 Constitution and other laws enacted between 1962 and 1994 institutionalized discrimination. For example, these laws stipulated that Tutsi should not exceed 10% of government positions, while Hutu were allocated 89% and Batwa only 1%, based on demographic proportions.
Minister Dr. Bizimana told RBA that "a constitution that reinforces discrimination and divisions is extremely harmful. It was influenced by the Belgians, who strongly supported Habyarimana's government and political parties in their country."
He pointed out that in 1946, when Belgium was given the mandate to govern Rwanda, it was supposed to develop the country in all aspects and prepare it for independence. However, it failed to do so.
"Belgium should humble itself and acknowledge the truthâ€"that it is the root cause of Rwanda's problems. From the moment it signed agreements with the United Nations in 1946 to lead Rwanda to independence, improve living standards, uphold human rights, and provide quality education, it failed in all these aspects and instead introduced ethnic divisions," he stated.
After Juvénal Habyarimana overthrew Kayibanda in 1973, Belgium continued to support him and helped him draft laws that entrenched discrimination.
He added, "The Belgians helped Habyarimana draft the 1978 Constitution, providing him with two advisors: Filip Reyntjens and René de Wolf, who wrote the Constitution. This Constitution explicitly supported the ethnic-based ideology of Parmehutu."
This Constitution described the "revolution" of 1959 and Habyarimana's rise to power as a "cultural revolution" and mandated that they be regarded as fundamental principles in Rwanda's history and laws.
It also stated that Rwandan refugees living abroad would be governed by laws set by Rwanda, even though the 1966 laws explicitly denied refugees and those exiled to Bugesera and Rukumberi the right to return home or reclaim their properties.
Kayibanda, who operated under Belgium's influence, even issued directives prohibiting judges from accepting legal claims from refugees or their families regarding property restitution.
Minister Bizimana remarked, "This injustice was embedded in the Constitution drafted by a Belgian legal expert, who was paid with Belgian cooperation funds."
Article 7 of the Belgian-drafted Constitution established the MRND as the sole political party, forcing every Rwandan to be a member without choice.
In February 2025, Rwanda terminated its development cooperation agreements with Belgium after the latter took sides in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and engaged in propaganda aimed at isolating Rwanda from international aid.
On March 17, 2025, Rwanda decided to sever diplomatic ties with Belgium due to its historical role in Rwanda's suffering and its ongoing actions against the country.
IGIHE
