Pasteur Bizimungu | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bizimungu in 1998 | |
| 3rd President of Rwanda | |
| In office 19 July 1994 – 23 March 2000 | |
| Prime Minister | Faustin Twagiramungu Pierre-Célestin Rwigema Bernard Makuza |
| Vice President | Paul Kagame |
| Preceded by | Théodore Sindikubwabo |
| Succeeded by | Paul Kagame |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1950 (age 74) Gisenyi, Rwanda-Urundi |
| Political party | MRND (1980s-1990) Rwandan Patriotic Front (1990–2000) Party for Democratic Renewal (2001–) |
| Spouse | Serafina Bizimungu |
| Alma mater | National University of Rwanda University of Strasbourg |
Pasteur Bizimungu (born April 1950) is a Rwandan politician who served as the third President of Rwanda, holding office from 19 July 1994 until 23 March 2000.
Bizimungu had previously held several positions under President Juvenal Habyarimana throughout the 1980s. He joined the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) rebel group against Habyarimana in 1990 following the death of his brother seemingly under the orders of Habyarimana's government. After the RPF's victory in the Rwandan Civil War in 1994 which ended the Rwandan genocide, Bizimungu became the new president of the country with RPF commander Paul Kagame as vice-president and minister of defense, who was seen as the country's de facto leader throughout his presidency. Bizumungu's presidency was marked by the reconstruction of the country in the wake of the civil war and genocide, as well as the country's support for rebel groups in the First Congo War from 1996 to 1997, and the Second Congo War from 1998 to 2003. Following a series of disputes with Kagame, Bizimungu resigned in 2000, whereupon he was succeeded by Kagame. The following year, Bizimungu founded the Party for Democratic Renewal, which was immediately banned by Kagame's new government. In 2004, Bizimungu was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for attempting to form a militia, inciting violence, and embezzlement, but was pardoned three years later by Kagame.