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Pierre Nkurunziza

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His Excellency
Pierre Nkurunziza
Nkurunziza in 2014
President of Burundi
In office
26 August 2005 – 8 June 2020
Preceded byDomitien Ndayizeye
Succeeded byPascal Nyabenda (acting)
Personal details
Born(1964-12-18)18 December 1964
Bujumbura, Burundi
Died8 June 2020(2020-06-08) (aged 55)
Karuzi, Burundi
Political partyCNDD–FDD
Spouse
​
(m. 1994)​
Children6
Alma materUniversity of Burundi
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website

Pierre Nkurunziza (Template:IPA-fr; 18 December 1964 – 8 June 2020) was a Burundian politician who served as the ninth president of Burundi for almost 15 years from August 2005 until his death in June 2020, making him the longest-serving president in the nation's history.

https://soundcloud.com/lowtestosterone https://soundcloud.com/lowtestosterone He was a member of the Hutu ethnic group and began a career in physical education before the outbreak of the Burundian Civil War, which brought him into the moderate rebel organization National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD–FDD). Upon becoming president of the CNDD–FDD, he advocated a political solution to the conflict and was elected president in 2005, and controversially held the office for three terms rather than the two permitted in the constitution, sparking significant public unrest in 2015. In 2018, he announced he would not stand for a fourth term. Nkurunziza died on 8 June 2020, shortly after the 2020 general elections.

Early life

Childhood and teaching career, 1964–1995

View of the University of Burundi where Nkurunziza studied physical education and taught before being forced to flee in 1995 during the Burundian Civil War

Pierre Nkurunziza was born on 18 December 1964 in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, shortly after the country's independence from Belgian rule in 1962. He was one of six children born into a family from Buye in Mwumba, Ngozi Province, where Nkurunziza spent his early years.[1] His father, Eustache Ngabisha, was a politician from the Hutu ethnic group and a Catholic. Ngabisha was involved in the nationalist politics under the ruling Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progrès national, UPRONA) and was elected to the National Assembly in 1965. Ngabisha later became a provincial governor under the regime of General Michel Micombero but was killed in the genocidal violence of 1972.[1][2] Nkurunziza's mother, Domitille Minani, was an assistant nurse from the Tutsi ethnic group who was Protestant. Nkurunziza himself was considered to be Hutu.[2]

Nkurunziza attended school in Ngozi and studied at the prestigious athénée in Gitega after his father's death.[1] He enrolled at the Institute of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Burundi and obtained a degree in physical education in 1990. He taught at a school in Muramvya before becoming an assistant lecturer at the University in 1992. He also taught at the Higher Institute for Military Cadres (Institut supérieur des cadres militaires, ISCAM) where he made important personal contacts which would become important in his later political career.[1] However, it is believed that he was not politically active.[2] He was a football coach for Muzinga FC and Union Sporting in the country's first division.[2] He married Denise Bucumi in 1994.[3]

Burundian Civil War and CNDD–FDD, 1995–2005

The newly elected president Melchior Ndadaye was assassinated in an attempted coup d'état in October 1993. The killing sparked a wave of ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions and the start of the Burundian Civil War. Nkurunziza was still teaching at the University of Burundi but was forced to flee in 1995 after hundreds of Hutu students were killed. He spent several years in hiding in the bush but was sentenced to death in absentia by a government-backed court in 1998 for planting land mines.[2] At the time, he became associated with the moderate rebel group National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie – Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie, CNDD–FDD), largely supported by ethnic Hutus. By 1998, he had risen to the position of General Secretary of the CNDD–FDD and was in charge of coordinating the political and military wings.[4][5] He fought for their militia and gained the nickname "Pita".[1] He was nearly killed near Gitega in 2001 but interpreted his survival as a sign that he was destined to lead the group. Nkurunziza himself became a born-again Protestant and supported the integration of Tutsis and other minority groups into the CNDD–FDD.[2]

Nkurunziza became the president of the CNDD–FDD on 28 August 2000 and presided over the movement as it moved towards a political compromise with the government. A series of agreements in 2003 paved the way for the CNDD–FDD to enter national politics, and allowed Nkurunziza to be reunited with his wife and surviving family members.[3] He became Minister for Good Government and the General Inspection of the State which was considered "a springboard post at a moment when electoral preparations were under way to complete the transition".[3] He was re-elected president of the CNDD–FDD, now a political party, in August 2004, and became its candidate for the forthcoming legislative and presidential elections. The elections brought Nkurunziza and the CNDD–FDD to power with a large majority of the vote.[6][7] He succeeded Domitien Ndayizeye as the President of Burundi.[5]

Presidency

First term, 2005–2010

Nkurunziza's term as president began on 26 August 2005 and he soon adopted a number of popular policies.[3] He presided over the reconstruction of the Burundian state, based on an inter-ethnic compromise enshrined in the Arusha Accords which required the partitioning of state positions between Tutsi, Hutu, and the minority Twa ethnic groups. He presided over the demobilisation of the final Hutu rebel group from the Civil War, the Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People – National Forces of Liberation (Parti pour la libération du peuple Hutu – Forces nationales de libération, PALIPEHUTU–FNL), in 2008. However, Nkurunziza's reputation became increasingly tarnished in the face of political factionalism, corruption, and continued insecurity. He was re-elected for a second term in July 2010 with a big majority, but was effectively unopposed,[8] as the polls were boycotted by opposition parties.[9]

Second term and unrest, 2010–2015

Burundian police clash with protesters opposed to Nkurunziza's third term in April 2015
Main article: Burundian unrest (2015–2018)

Nkurunziza's second term saw rising discontent with his leadership.[10] Outdoor jogging was banned in June 2014 out of fear that group exercise might be used as cover for political meetings.[11] Dissent came to a head with the public announcement on 25 April 2015 that Nkurunziza would stand for a third term in the presidential elections scheduled for June that year. This appeared to be contrary to the term limits established in the Arusha Accords and sparked widespread protests in Bujumbura and elsewhere which led to violent confrontations. However, the Constitutional Court ruled on 5 May that the projected third term was legal. The protests then escalated and dozens were killed.[12]

A military uprising was attempted on 13 May 2015 by soldiers loyal to Godefroid Niyombare but collapsed after extensive fighting in Bujumbura. Assassinations of opposition politicians and critics took place and it was reported that detained protesters were tortured or raped at so-called "black sites" by regime loyalists.[13] However, the following months also saw the assassination of a number of CNDD–FDD officials and loyalists including Adolphe Nshimirimana.[14] A rebel group emerged as the Republican Forces of Burundi (Forces républicaines du Burundi, FOREBU) and large numbers of civilians fled into exile.[15] Despite the instability and a continuing opposition boycott, the elections took place in July and Nkurunziza was re-elected for a third term.[16]

Third term and resignation, 2015–2020

Nkurunziza's third term saw the country's increasing isolation in light of international condemnation of the repression which accompanied the 2015 unrest.[17][18] The East African Community and African Union attempted to mediate the conflict unsuccessfully and Nkurunziza's regime became increasingly isolated.[19] As well as being widely condemned, the 2015 crisis led to 350,000 refugees fleeing across the border into Rwanda and other neighboring countries in addition to another 110,000 being internally displaced. Poverty increased and many middle-class Burundians emigrated.[17] Nkurunziza withdrew Burundi from the International Criminal Court in 2017 and advocated constitutional reforms which would allow longer presidential terms which were approved in a disputed referendum in May 2018. However, in June 2018 he announced that he would not be standing for a fourth term and that he would consequently step down in 2020.[20] The same year, he was given the title of "Permanent Visionary" by the CNDD–FDD.[5]

The CNDD–FDD's presidential candidate for the elections of 2020 was Évariste Ndayishimiye, whom Nkurunziza specifically endorsed. The elections took place in May 2020 and resulted in a large majority in favour of Nkurunziza's candidate. However, the elections occurred against the backdrop of criticism of Nkurunziza's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Burundi during which representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) were expelled. Election monitors from the East African Community were also kept out.[17]

Death

Nkurunziza died unexpectedly on 8 June 2020, aged 55, at the Fiftieth Anniversary Hospital in Karuzi.[21] The Burundian government gave his cause of death as a heart attack,[21] but some in the media suspect he died of COVID-19.[22] A week earlier, The Standard reported his wife had flown without him to Nairobi, Kenya, for COVID-19 treatment.[22][23]

His death occurred after the 2020 elections, but ahead of the projected hand-over of power in August. It had been intended that he would continue to remain prominent in public life as "Supreme Guide of Patriotism" (along with consulting with the government), as well as receiving a $500,000 payout from the state and a luxury villa. Seven national days of mourning were announced following his death.[24]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Dictionary of African Biography, p. 489.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Bigirimana, Charles (26 August 2005). "Burundi's born-again ex-rebel leader". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Dictionary of African Biography, p. 490.
  4. ^ "Burundi: IRIN interview with Pierre Nkurunziza, leader of CNDD-FDD" (Interview). Interviewed by The New Humanitarian. 23 August 2004.
  5. ^ a b c "Le parcours du président Pierre Nkurunziza". IWACU-Les Voix du Burundi. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Final election results in Burundi confirm CNDD/FDD victory – Africa – Angola Press – ANGOP". Angola Press News Agency. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  7. ^ Nindorera, Willy (2012). The CNDD-FDD in Burundi : the path from armed to political struggle. Berlin: Berghof-Stiftung für Konfliktforschung. ISBN 978-3-941514-06-5. OCLC 873376633.
  8. ^ Ditionary of African Biography, p. 490.
  9. ^ Kron, Josh (30 June 2015). "Opposition Calls Election in Burundi a 'Masquerade'". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  10. ^ Sandner, Phillipp (21 February 2014). "Sacking of vice president tilts Burundi into crisis". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  11. ^ Franks, Tim (16 June 2014). "Burundi: Where jogging is a crime". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  12. ^ Steffen, Sarah (12 May 2015). "Crisis in Burundi – a timeline". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  13. ^ Smith, David (8 September 2015). "Burundi opposition spokesman shot dead as violence escalates". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  14. ^ Hatcher, Jessica (28 June 2015). "Violence, targeted killings consume Burundi protests". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Burundi". UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  16. ^ Hatcher, Jessica (24 July 2015). "Burundi's president Pierre Nkurunziza wins third term in disputed election". Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Wolters, Stephanie. "Burundi: Can newly-elected President Ndayishimiye deliver change?". African Arguments. Royal African Society. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Burundi leader wins third term". BBC News. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  19. ^ "All quiet in Burundi?". Royal African Society. African Arguments. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  20. ^ Associated Press (7 June 2018). "Burundi's President Says He Won't Seek Another Term". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Burundi's outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza dead from 'cardiac arrest'". The Africa Report. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  22. ^ a b Burke, Jason (9 June 2020). "Burundi president dies of illness suspected to be coronavirus". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  23. ^ Junior, Mireri. "Burundi First Lady hospitalised at Aga Khan with Covid-19". The Standard. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  24. ^ "Burundi says President Pierre Nkurunziza has died of heart attack". Al Jazeera. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

Further reading

Media related to Pierre Nkurunziza at Wikimedia Commons

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Political offices
Preceded by President of Burundi
2005–2020 		Succeeded by
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