Grégoire Kayibanda

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Grégoire Kayibanda (May 1 1924-December 15 1976) was a Rwandan politician.

Kayibanda was born in Tare, Rwanda, and came from the south of the country. He led Rwanda's struggle to become independent from Belgium and for the overthrow of the Tutsi monarchy.

Kayibanda, an ethnic Hutu, founded the Parmehutu party (Parti du Mouvement de l'Emancipation Hutu). His successful campaign brought his ethnic group, the majority ethnic group in Rwanda, to power.

Kayibanda served as President of Rwanda from 1962 when he was elected after independence, until July 5 1973, when he was overthrown by his friend, defense minister Major General Juvénal Habyarimana in a military coup. He returned to his home in the Gitarama prefecture in Rwanda, where he died three years later in cruel and abominable conditions.

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