Monarchy of Rwizikuru
| King of Rwizikuru | |
|---|---|
| File:CoatOfArmsOfRwizikuru.png | |
| Incumbent | |
| File:Munashe2018.jpg | |
| Ngonidzashe II since 21 February, 2019 | |
| Details | |
| Heir apparent | Crown Prince Paul Ngonidzashe |
| First monarch | Ngonidzashe I |
| Formation | 1 June, 1968 |
| Residence | Imba yoRudzi, Guta raMambo |
Rwizikuru is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the King (Rwizi: Mambo), established in 1968 by Izibongo Ngonidzashe after he purged his opponents within the National Salvation Council which governed the country following a coup that removed Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima from the Presidency. His descendants continue to rule over Rwizikuru today as the House of Ngonidzashe.
Until 2020, they served as absolute monarch, serving as both the head of state and head of government of Rwizikuru. Since the passage of the 2020 constitution, the monarch serves as a constitutional monarch, and only as a head of state, with the Premier serving as head of government.
Rights and duties
According to the Rwizikuran Basic Law, which superseded the Constitution of Rwizikuru in 1968, the King was an absolute monarch, with executive, legislative, and judicial power. Thus, he had the power to appoint and remove officials at His Majesty's pleasure, to institute legislation, and to serve as "the final arbiter" in legal disputes, as well as the right to pardon criminals, without being held accountable to the people.
However, the duties of the monarch, according to the Rwizikuran Basic Law, included allocating resources "for the efficient operation of the Rwizi nation," to "act in a dignified and righteous manner befitting a King," and to allow ordinary people to come to the King to try and get their grievances addressed.
However, under the current Constitution of Rwizikuru, the King's powers were significantly reduced and transferred to the newly-created position of Premier, although the King still remains the head of state of Rwizikuru. The only powers he still maintains is the right to pardon criminals (excluding those convicted on corruption and heinous crimes), and to legislate matters concerning the ruling House of Ngonidzashe or the line of succession.
In addition, he is obliged to be "a chiefly figure for the Rwizi people," as he is seen to be an important leader of the Rwizi people.
Residence
From the establishment of the monarchy until the completion of the Imba yoRudzi in Guta raMambo, the monarch of Rwizikuru lived and worked at the former Presidential Palace in Port Fitzhubert. However, after the defeat of Rwizikuru in the Mabiifan-Rwizikuran War and the Garamburan War of Independence, Izibongo Ngonidzashe moved the capital to Guta raMambo, with the Imba yoRudzi to serve as the royal residence for the reigning monarch and his children.
Today, the Imba yoRudzi serves as the primary official residence of the Rwizikuran monarchy, although the monarch owns Royal Mohubedu Farm in Mohubedu as a countryside retreat, and still owns the Old Palace Museum, which has operated as a museum dedicated to the political history of Rwizikuru, although currently, it is the temporary official residence of the Premier until a permanent residence is constructed at Guta raMambo for the Premier.
List of Rwezikuran monarchs
| King | Portrait | Lived | Relationship with predecessor | Ruled from | Ruled until |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1921-2019 | none | 1 June, 1968 | 21 February, 2019 | |
| File:Munashe2018.jpg | 1991- | son of Izibongo Ngonidzashe | 21 February, 2019 | incumbent |
Line of succession
The line of succession of Rwizikuru is based off of agnatic primogeniture, with females and their descendants excluded from the line of succession. According to the Rwizikuran Basic Law, all male descendants of Munonzwa Ngonidzashe, shall be eligible to succeed to the throne, unless disqualified by the reigning monarch.
- Mutupo Ngonidzashe (c. 1839-1901)
- Munonzwa Ngonidzashe (c. 1897-1956)
Izibongo Ngonidzashe (1921-2019)
- Joseph Ngonidzashe (1961-2002)
Munashe Ngonidzashe (1991-)
- Malcolm Ngonidzashe (2016-)[1]
- (1) Paul Ngonidzashe (2018-)
- (2) Honore Ngonidzashe (1996-)
- (3) Comfort Ngonidzashe (2023-)
Notes
- ↑ Was disinherited in 2020 due to his "severe developmental delays."