Guillaume Logiest
Encyclopedia
Guillaume "Guy" Logiest was Belgium
's special military resident (1959-1962) and High Representative (1962) of colonial
Rwanda
. Under his guidance, the political framework was laid for democratic elections in 1962 and independence.
, Belgium to a French-speaking family. He was called Guy by his family and associates.
He went to Rwanda as the highest-ranking military officer. From 1959-1962, he served as special military resident, and High Representative (1962) of Rwanda. In 1959 the Hutu
majority overthrew the Tutsi
monarchy, which had controlled much of the country for centuries. Although in the minority, the Tutsi had been favored by the German
and Belgian colonial administrations.
During the years that Rwanda was moving toward independence from colonial rule, Logiest helped guide the creation of a political framework for administration. This included preparation for elections, with the expected result that the Hutu majority would take power. Until Rwanda's full independence in 1962, Logiest continued to serve as Belgium's highest official representative in Rwanda.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
's special military resident (1959-1962) and High Representative (1962) of colonial
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. Under his guidance, the political framework was laid for democratic elections in 1962 and independence.
Early life and education
Guillaume Logiest was born in 1912 GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Belgium to a French-speaking family. He was called Guy by his family and associates.
Career
Logiest entered the military as a young man and made his career there.He went to Rwanda as the highest-ranking military officer. From 1959-1962, he served as special military resident, and High Representative (1962) of Rwanda. In 1959 the Hutu
Hutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
majority overthrew the Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
monarchy, which had controlled much of the country for centuries. Although in the minority, the Tutsi had been favored by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Belgian colonial administrations.
During the years that Rwanda was moving toward independence from colonial rule, Logiest helped guide the creation of a political framework for administration. This included preparation for elections, with the expected result that the Hutu majority would take power. Until Rwanda's full independence in 1962, Logiest continued to serve as Belgium's highest official representative in Rwanda.