Michel Micombero
Encyclopedia
Michel Micombero was the first President of Burundi
from November 28, 1966 to November 1, 1976. He was member of the Tutsi ethnicity.
In the years after independence, Burundi had seen a rapid descent into anarchy. The king Mwambutsa IV rapidly changed the Prime Minister as anti-Tutsi
forces threatened to unleash the same violence as had hit Rwanda
. On October 18, 1965, Hutu
leader Gervais Nyangoma launched a coup, ousting the king. Soon afterward the largely Hutu police force, under the control of Antoine Serkwavu, began to massacre
Tutsis in some parts of the country.
Michel Micombero was a young Tutsi army captain who had been born in Rutovu, Bururi Province
. In 1965, he had only recently returned from school in Belgium
and had quickly risen to become Secretary of Defense. He rallied the army, and its largely Tutsi officers, against the coup and overthrew them. This was followed by numerous attacks on Hutus throughout the nation.
Micombero became Prime Minister on July 11, 1966 and was the real power in the nation technically ruled by King Ntare V
, who deposed his father with the help of Micombero. On November 28, 1966, Micombero overthrew the monarchy and made himself president.
As president, Micombero became an advocate of African socialism
and received support from the People's Republic of China
. He imposed a staunch regime of law and order, sharply repressing Hutu militarism.
In 1972, Hutu refugees from surrounding nations organized an uprising of Hutus in Burundi. This was repulsed and followed by organized ethnic violence that killed some 150,000 Hutus. Micombero unquestionably played a leading role in these massacres. Afterward, Micombero became increasingly corrupt, and also turned to heavy drinking. Some reports allege he became delusional. He was overthrown in 1976 in a coup by Deputy Chief of Staff Jean-Baptiste Bagaza
, a distant relative of Micombero from the same clan and political faction.
Micombero went into exile in Somalia
, where he died of a heart attack in 1983.
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
from November 28, 1966 to November 1, 1976. He was member of the Tutsi ethnicity.
In the years after independence, Burundi had seen a rapid descent into anarchy. The king Mwambutsa IV rapidly changed the Prime Minister as anti-Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
forces threatened to unleash the same violence as had hit Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. On October 18, 1965, Hutu
Hutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
leader Gervais Nyangoma launched a coup, ousting the king. Soon afterward the largely Hutu police force, under the control of Antoine Serkwavu, began to massacre
Massacre
A massacre is an event with a heavy death toll.Massacre may also refer to:-Entertainment:*Massacre , a DC Comics villain*Massacre , a 1932 drama film starring Richard Barthelmess*Massacre, a 1956 Western starring Dane Clark...
Tutsis in some parts of the country.
Michel Micombero was a young Tutsi army captain who had been born in Rutovu, Bururi Province
Bururi Province
Bururi is one of the seventeen provinces of Burundi. It is also the largest. It includes the city of Bururi, the provincial capital, and the city of Rumonge which sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika...
. In 1965, he had only recently returned from school in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and had quickly risen to become Secretary of Defense. He rallied the army, and its largely Tutsi officers, against the coup and overthrew them. This was followed by numerous attacks on Hutus throughout the nation.
Micombero became Prime Minister on July 11, 1966 and was the real power in the nation technically ruled by King Ntare V
Ntare V
Ntare V of Burundi was the king of Burundi from june to November 1966. Until his accession, he was known as Crown Prince Charles Ndizeye. He deposed his father, Mwambutsa IV in 1966...
, who deposed his father with the help of Micombero. On November 28, 1966, Micombero overthrew the monarchy and made himself president.
As president, Micombero became an advocate of African socialism
African socialism
African socialism is a belief in sharing economic resources in a "traditional" African way, as distinct from classical socialism. Many African politicians of the 1950s and 1960s professed their support for African socialism, although definitions and interpretations of this term varied...
and received support from the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. He imposed a staunch regime of law and order, sharply repressing Hutu militarism.
In 1972, Hutu refugees from surrounding nations organized an uprising of Hutus in Burundi. This was repulsed and followed by organized ethnic violence that killed some 150,000 Hutus. Micombero unquestionably played a leading role in these massacres. Afterward, Micombero became increasingly corrupt, and also turned to heavy drinking. Some reports allege he became delusional. He was overthrown in 1976 in a coup by Deputy Chief of Staff Jean-Baptiste Bagaza
Jean-Baptiste Bagaza
Jean-Baptiste Bagaza is a Burundian politician who was Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Council in Burundi until November 10, 1976, and President from November 10, 1976 to September 3, 1987. While travelling abroad, Bagaza was deposed in a military coup d'état. He was replaced as president by...
, a distant relative of Micombero from the same clan and political faction.
Micombero went into exile in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, where he died of a heart attack in 1983.