The League of Nations grant Belgium the right to govern Rwanda

Date: 31 Aug 1923
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On 31 August 1923 the League of Nations passed a resolution granting Belgium the right to govern Rwanda and its southern neighbour Burundi, as the territory of Ruanda-Urundi. The resolution taken by the League of Nations followed actions by small European forces as they fought for control of the areas of Rwanda. Led by Belgians in 1916, they advanced from Congo into Germany's East African colonies, rapidly driving out the German forces. Scores of Rwandan citizens fighting alongside the Germans were killed in the long German retreat. A colonial military campaign from 1923 to 1925 brought the small independent kingdoms to the west under the power of the central Rwandan court. The Belgian government continued its reliance on the Tutsi power structure in governing the country.

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How we know this

01Boddy-Evans A., 2011. ‘This day in African History: 31 August’ from African History [online] Available at www.africanhistory.about.com [Accessed: 04 July 2011]
02Brainy History, ‘League of Nations gives Belgium mandate over Ruanda-Urundi (was German), [online] Available at www.brainyhistory.com [Accessed: 04 July 2011]
03Viret, E., 2010. “Rwanada ”“ A Chronology (1867-1994)” from Online Encyclopedia of Mass Violence [online]. Available at www.massviolence.org [Accessed 22 August 2011]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, August 29). The League of Nations grant Belgium the right to govern Rwanda. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067982

South African History Online (2011) 'The League of Nations grant Belgium the right to govern Rwanda', South African History Online, 29 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067982 (Accessed: 27 August 2026).

South African History Online, The League of Nations grant Belgium the right to govern Rwanda [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067982, (accessed 27 August 2026).

"The League of Nations grant Belgium the right to govern Rwanda." South African History Online, 29 Aug. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067982. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "The League of Nations grant Belgium the right to govern Rwanda." South African History Online. August 29, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067982.