Ruanda-Urundi

1922-1962 League of Nations/United Nations mandate in East Africa

Ruanda-Urundi was a part of German East Africa. Belgian troops invaded during World War I. The military occupation lasted from 1916 to 1924 when the territory came under Belgian rule. In 1964 it became the independent states of Rwanda and Burundi.

Territory of Ruanda-Urundi
1916-1962
Flag of Ruanda-Urundi
Flag
Coat of arms of Ruanda-Urundi
Coat of arms
Ruanda-Urundi (dark green) depicted within the Belgian colonial empire (light green), c. 1935
Ruanda-Urundi (dark green) depicted within the Belgian colonial empire (light green), c. 1935
StatusMandate of Belgium
CapitalUsumbura
Common languagesFrench (official)
Also: Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and Swahili
Religion
Catholicism
Also: Protestantism, Islam and others
History 
• Belgian invasion
April 1916
• Mandate created
20 July 1922
• Administrative merger with Belgian Congo
1 March 1926
• Mandate becomes Trust Territory
13 December 1946
• Rwanda gains autonomy
18 October 1960
• Burundi gains autonomy
21 December 1961
• Independence
1 July 1962
CurrencyBelgian Congo franc (1916–60)
Ruanda-Urundi franc (1960–62)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
German East Africa
Kingdom of Burundi
Republic of Rwanda
Today part of Burundi
 Rwanda


Royal administrators

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Royal Commissioners

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Governors (Deputy Governors-General of the Belgian Congo)

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