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Kigeli V, the Last King in Rwanda Dynasty, Dies at 80 Kigeli V, the Last King of Rwanda, Dies at 80
(2 days later)
Kigeli V, the last king of a dynasty that ruled Rwanda for a millennium, died last Sunday in Washington, where he had been living on public assistance. He was 80.Kigeli V, the last king of a dynasty that ruled Rwanda for a millennium, died last Sunday in Washington, where he had been living on public assistance. He was 80.
His death was announced by the Rwandan government, which did not specify a cause.His death was announced by the Rwandan government, which did not specify a cause.
King Kigeli, a towering, regal presence at 7 feet 2 inches, reigned for less than two years, forced to step down when his central African nation voted in 1961 to replace the kingdom with a republic and gained independence from Belgium.King Kigeli, a towering, regal presence at 7 feet 2 inches, reigned for less than two years, forced to step down when his central African nation voted in 1961 to replace the kingdom with a republic and gained independence from Belgium.
His reign coincided with an outbreak of sectarian violence that would continue to plague Rwanda and culminate in the 1994 ethnic genocide, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Tutsis but also Hutu moderates. Kigeli was of the Tutsi caste.His reign coincided with an outbreak of sectarian violence that would continue to plague Rwanda and culminate in the 1994 ethnic genocide, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Tutsis but also Hutu moderates. Kigeli was of the Tutsi caste.
Deported after independence was achieved, Kigeli found refuge in neighboring African nations for three decades. In 1992, fearing growing political unrest in central Africa, he was granted political asylum in the United States.Deported after independence was achieved, Kigeli found refuge in neighboring African nations for three decades. In 1992, fearing growing political unrest in central Africa, he was granted political asylum in the United States.
Since then, he had lived on public assistance in suburban Washington, most recently in a subsidized townhouse in Oakton, Va. There he sold honorary knighthoods and had continued to harbor hopes of returning home to reclaim the tasseled headdress that was his crown.Since then, he had lived on public assistance in suburban Washington, most recently in a subsidized townhouse in Oakton, Va. There he sold honorary knighthoods and had continued to harbor hopes of returning home to reclaim the tasseled headdress that was his crown.
The abiru, or royal court elders, had anointed him mwami, or king, in 1959, stunning Belgian colonial officials, fellow Rwandans and the recipient of the crown himself, 23-year-old Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa.The abiru, or royal court elders, had anointed him mwami, or king, in 1959, stunning Belgian colonial officials, fellow Rwandans and the recipient of the crown himself, 23-year-old Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa.
He succeeded his half brother, King Mutara III Rudahigwa, who had died under mysterious circumstances. The half brother, who was in his 40s, fell fatally ill after receiving an injection from a Belgian doctor.He succeeded his half brother, King Mutara III Rudahigwa, who had died under mysterious circumstances. The half brother, who was in his 40s, fell fatally ill after receiving an injection from a Belgian doctor.
Within a month of the coronation, the Hutu caste, favored by the Belgians, revolted against the dominant Tutsi minority. Kigeli fled to Congo shortly after.Within a month of the coronation, the Hutu caste, favored by the Belgians, revolted against the dominant Tutsi minority. Kigeli fled to Congo shortly after.
He returned in September 1961, in disguise, just before a referendum on the monarchy. When it was abolished in the vote, the king was deported on Oct. 2, 1961. He apparently never returned.He returned in September 1961, in disguise, just before a referendum on the monarchy. When it was abolished in the vote, the king was deported on Oct. 2, 1961. He apparently never returned.
Rwanda, about the size of Massachusetts, became independent in 1962.Rwanda, about the size of Massachusetts, became independent in 1962.
Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa was born on June 29, 1936, in Kamembe, Rwanda, to King Yuhi V Musinga and Queen Mukashema.Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa was born on June 29, 1936, in Kamembe, Rwanda, to King Yuhi V Musinga and Queen Mukashema.
He was raised as a Roman Catholic and educated at Nyangezi College in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his family had been exiled by Belgian colonial officials. After his father died in 1944 and was succeeded by Kigeli’s half brother, the family was repatriated.He was raised as a Roman Catholic and educated at Nyangezi College in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his family had been exiled by Belgian colonial officials. After his father died in 1944 and was succeeded by Kigeli’s half brother, the family was repatriated.
Kigeli never married or learned fluent English. He established a foundation to support Rwandan refugees and subsisted on food stamps and with the help of the Monarchist League, which supports deposed kings.Kigeli never married or learned fluent English. He established a foundation to support Rwandan refugees and subsisted on food stamps and with the help of the Monarchist League, which supports deposed kings.
He told Washingtonian magazine in 2013 that he had a surviving sister in Africa. According to his website, an heir to the throne will be announced “in good order.”He told Washingtonian magazine in 2013 that he had a surviving sister in Africa. According to his website, an heir to the throne will be announced “in good order.”
The possibility of his returning to Rwanda was discussed periodically. In 1996, Kigeli met in Washington with Paul Kagame, a Tutsi leader who became the Rwandan president, Washingtonian reported. The king would be welcomed home, but only as a private citizen, Mr. Kagame said.The possibility of his returning to Rwanda was discussed periodically. In 1996, Kigeli met in Washington with Paul Kagame, a Tutsi leader who became the Rwandan president, Washingtonian reported. The king would be welcomed home, but only as a private citizen, Mr. Kagame said.
The king replied that Rwandans should decide. Mr. Kagame promised to get back to him.The king replied that Rwandans should decide. Mr. Kagame promised to get back to him.
“I’m still waiting,” the king said.“I’m still waiting,” the king said.