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Rwanda secured its independence in the year 1962 from Belgium. Kayibanda was the first president of Post Independence Rwanda and continued to hold this post after being re elected in the year 1965 and 1969. However, Post Independence Rwanda too witnessed periods of unrest due to the rising tension between the different groups namely the Tutsis and the Hutu.
Post Independence Rwanda had strained relations with Uganda around 1971-1972. The 1973 conflict between the Hutu and the Tutsi group led to the fleeing of around 600 Tutsis to Uganda. Habyarimana was appointed as the President in the year 1978 after the adoption of a new constitution.
In 1990 Rwanda was attacked by Uganda. This attack was led basically by the Rwandan patriotic Force (RPF) which consisted mainly of the Tutsi refugees. Following this Habyarimana agreed to enter into an agreement that would mean sharing of powers with the Tutsis. This led to widespread violence by the Hutus. The situation was under control to some extent with the intervention of UN. However, the death of Habyarimana and Burundi's President once again led to unrest.
The RPF gained power and appointed Pasteur Bizimunga as President who resigned in the year 2000.The conflict between Uganda and Rwanda in 1999 and 2000 has led to strained relations between the two countries. The votes in 2003 were in favor of a new constitution. The same year Paul Kagame won the Presidential elections. In March 2005, the rebel Hutus in Congo declared their peaceful return to Rwanda.
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