Bernard Makuza

Bernard Makuza (born 30 September 1962)[1] is a Rwandan politician who was Prime Minister of Rwanda from 8 March 2000 to 6 October 2011. He also served as President of the Senate of Rwanda from 14 October 2014 to 17 October 2019.

Bernard Makuza
3rd President of the Rwandan Senate
In office
14 October 2014 – 17 October 2019
Preceded byJean-Damascène Ntawukuriryayo
Succeeded byAugustin Iyamuremye
8th Prime Minister of Rwanda
In office
8 March 2000 – 7 October 2011
PresidentPasteur Bizimungu
Paul Kagame
Preceded byPierre-Célestin Rwigema
Succeeded byPierre Habumuremyi
Personal details
Born (1962-09-30) 30 September 1962
Butare, Rwanda
Political partyIndependent

Background

Makuza's father was Anastase Makuza, who served as a minister during Grégoire Kayibanda's presidency.[2] Like his father, Bernard Makuza attended Saint Léon Minor Seminary of Kabgayi.

Career

Makuza was a member of the Republican Democratic Movement (MDR) before the party was dissolved on 14 April 2003 because of its history of promoting genocide ideology.[3] Makuza resigned his membership in the MDR before being appointed Prime Minister. In 2006, during his term as Prime Minister, Makuza identified as belonging to no party.[4]

Prime Minister

Makuza was the Rwandan Ambassador to Burundi and then Ambassador to Germany[5] before being appointed as Prime Minister in March 2000. His appointment to the latter post by President Pasteur Bizimungu followed the resignation of Prime Minister Pierre-Célestin Rwigema, who had been heavily criticized in the Rwandan press and by some parliamentarians.[6]

Makuza remained at the head of a new government named on March 8, 2008, which was composed of 21 ministers and six secretaries of state.[7]

Senate

On 6 October 2011, President Kagame appointed Pierre Habumuremyi to replace Makuza as Prime Minister. Makuza was instead appointed to the Senate.[8] In the Senate, Makuza served as Vice-President for Legislation and Government Oversight. He was subsequently elected as President of the Senate, with 25 out of 26 votes in favor and no opposing candidate, and sworn in on 14 October 2014.[9]

The Prime Minister of Rwanda, Mr. Bernard MAKUZA calling on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on January 14, 2011

References
  1. East, Roger; Thomas, Richard J. (2003). Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders (1st ed.). p. 437. ISBN 978-1857431261. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. Twagilimana, Aimable (2016). Historical Dictionary of Rwanda (2nd ed.). p. 143. ISBN 9781442255906. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  3. Niesen, Peter (2010). "Political party bans in Rwanda 1994–2003: three narratives of justification". Democratization. 17 (4): 709–729. doi:10.1080/13510347.2010.491196. S2CID 142988582.
  4. Musoni, Edwin (23 October 2006). "I belong to no political party- Makuza". The New Times. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
  5. "Office of the Prime Minister". Rwanda. Archived from the original on 14 June 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
  6. Simpson, Chris. "New Rwandan prime minister named". bbc.com. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. "Remaniement ministériel au Rwanda, Makuza reste Premier ministre" (in French). AFP. 8 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  8. Musoni, Edwin (7 October 2011). "Pierre D Habumuremyi appointed Prime Minister". The New Times. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  9. Musoni, Edwin (15 October 2014). "Makuza elected Senate president". The New Times. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
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