Former Rwandan Defense Minister, General Marcel Gatsinzi, has passed on in Belgium where he had gone for treatment.
Who was General Gatsinzi who was born?
This long-term soldier also served in the army of General Habyarimana’s regime and participated in the Arusha peace negotiations.
He had been retired since 2013 when he died.
General Marcel Gatsinzi, who was 75 years old, was born in the city of Kigali in 1948.
His military career began in 1968 when he finished high school at St. Andrew’s School in Nyamirambo.
He attended the Belgian Military Academy between 1974 and 1976.
He continued his life in the army of General Habyarimana’s regime before he was killed in 1994.
Between 1990 and 1994, General Gatsinzi served as an observer between Habyarimana’s forces and those of the RPF.
Since the RPF took power in Rwanda, General Gatsinzi has appeared in important positions of power both in the military and in politics.
In 1995, General Gatsinzi became the deputy commander of the army of the new government that had been established in Rwanda.
Between 1997 and 2000, General Gatsinzi was in charge of the National Gendarmerie from where he left to establish the National Security Service until 2002.
During the 8 years he was appointed to lead the Ministry of Defense between 2002 and 2010.
General Marcel Gatsinzi was also the minister in charge of disaster control between 2010 and 2013 and since then he has not held any other public office.
He was retired at the time of his death, and reports say he fell ill in Belgium.
