First Presidential Election in the Second Republic

On 24 December 1978, the first presidential election in the Second Republic of Rwanda was held. In this election, President Juvénal Habyarimana, the sole candidate, was re-elected with an overwhelming 99% of the vote. This marked a significant moment in Rwanda’s political history as it solidified Habyarimana’s authoritarian rule and the MRND (Mouvement Révolutionnaire National pour le Développement) party’s dominance over the country.

Key Points:

1. One-Party System:
   • This election was conducted under a one-party system. The MRND, which had been the only legally recognized party since the creation of the Second Republic in 1975, was the sole political entity in the country.
   • Habyarimana’s re-election was a formality, as there were no other candidates, and the process was heavily controlled by the regime.
   • The result, with 99% of the vote in Habyarimana’s favor, was a reflection of the lack of political pluralism and the complete absence of opposition or political competition.
2. Consolidation of Power:
   • The election was seen as part of Habyarimana’s effort to consolidate his power and legitimacy following the transition to the Second Republic.
   • In 1978, the Constitution of Rwanda was amended to allow for a single-party system and Habyarimana was able to solidify his control over the country. The system was designed to ensure political stability but at the cost of personal and political freedoms.
   • The lack of opposition allowed the regime to portray itself as stable and popular, but it also entrenched a political culture of suppression and lack of democratic accountability.
3. Significance in the Second Republic:
   • The Second Republic was established after Habyarimana took power in a military coup in 1973, overthrowing Grégoire Kayibanda, the first president of Rwanda.
   • This was the first election of the Second Republic, setting the tone for the authoritarian rule that would define Habyarimana’s presidency.
   • The election outcome of over 99% in favor of Habyarimana was typical of authoritarian regimes, where elections were used to legitimize the ruling power while stifling political freedoms and civil rights.
4. Political Implications:
   • The MRND’s dominance remained unchecked, and political opposition was not tolerated. This exclusion led to growing resentment, particularly from the Tutsi population and some segments of the Hutu population who felt marginalized.
   • The election, and the lack of political alternatives, contributed to the political polarization and growing tensions that would eventually play a role in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, where Habyarimana’s regime and its militia, the Interahamwe, played a central role in the systematic slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu.

In summary, the 1978 presidential election was a clear example of how the Second Republic was characterized by an authoritarian regime that utilized controlled elections to maintain a facade of legitimacy, suppress opposition, and entrench political power in the hands of Habyarimana and the MRND party.