Sylvie Kinigi
Encyclopedia
Sylvie Kinigi was Prime Minister of Burundi
from 10 July 1993 to 7 February 1994, the first and to date only woman to hold the position.
ethnic group. Her husband, with whom she had five children, was a member of the Hutu
ethnic group. Kinigi graduated from Burundi University, having studied economic management, and worked in the Burundi civil service. She eventually became a senior advisor in the Prime Minister's office, focusing on economic policy.
When Melchior Ndadaye
was elected President of Burundi in 1993, he appointed Kinigi as his Prime Minister. This was part of an effort to build unity between Burundi's two ethnic groups — Ndadaye was a Hutu, and wished to decrease Tutsi hostility to his administration by appointing a Tutsi as Prime Minister. Kinigi stated that reconciliation between the two ethnic groups would be her highest priority.
On 21 October, however, President Ndadaye and six of his ministers were captured and killed by Tutsi insurgents. This marked the beginning of the Burundi Civil War
, with widespread ethnic violence breaking out. Kinigi and other senior government figures took refuge in the French
embassy, and survived the chaos. On 1 November, Kinigi attempted to gather together a new administration, effectively becoming acting President. Her position was bolstered when Pierre Buyoya
and Jean Baptiste Bagaza, former presidents, gave their support to her government.
In January the following year, Parliament declared that Cyprien Ntaryamira
, the former agriculture minister, would serve as President for the remainder of Ndadaye's term. As Ntaryamira was a Hutu, the appointment generated hostility from many Tutsis. Kinigi, however, recognised Ntaryamira as President, and retained her position as Prime Minister. In February, however, she was replaced by Anatole Kanyenkiko
, another Tutsi. Kinigi then took a position in Burundi's banking sector.
As of 2004, Kinigi was working with the United Nations Development Programme
.
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 10 July 1993 to 7 February 1994, the first and to date only woman to hold the position.
Biography
Kinigi was born in 1952, and is a member of the TutsiTutsi
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 ....
ethnic group. Her husband, with whom she had five children, was a member of the 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...
ethnic group. Kinigi graduated from Burundi University, having studied economic management, and worked in the Burundi civil service. She eventually became a senior advisor in the Prime Minister's office, focusing on economic policy.
When Melchior Ndadaye
Melchior Ndadaye
Melchior Ndadaye was a Burundian intellectual and politician. He was the first democratically elected and first Hutu president of Burundi after winning the landmark 1993 election...
was elected President of Burundi in 1993, he appointed Kinigi as his Prime Minister. This was part of an effort to build unity between Burundi's two ethnic groups — Ndadaye was a Hutu, and wished to decrease Tutsi hostility to his administration by appointing a Tutsi as Prime Minister. Kinigi stated that reconciliation between the two ethnic groups would be her highest priority.
On 21 October, however, President Ndadaye and six of his ministers were captured and killed by Tutsi insurgents. This marked the beginning of the Burundi Civil War
Burundi Civil War
The Burundi Civil War was an armed conflict lasting from 1993 to 2005. The civil war was the result of long standing ethnic divisions between the Hutu and the Tutsi tribes in Burundi...
, with widespread ethnic violence breaking out. Kinigi and other senior government figures took refuge in the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
embassy, and survived the chaos. On 1 November, Kinigi attempted to gather together a new administration, effectively becoming acting President. Her position was bolstered when Pierre Buyoya
Pierre Buyoya
Major Pierre Buyoya is a Burundian politician who has ruled Burundi twice, from 1987 to 1993 and from 1996 to 2003...
and Jean Baptiste Bagaza, former presidents, gave their support to her government.
In January the following year, Parliament declared that Cyprien Ntaryamira
Cyprien Ntaryamira
Cyprien Ntaryamira , was President of Burundi from 5 February 1994 until his death when his plane was shot down on 6 April 1994.-Biography:...
, the former agriculture minister, would serve as President for the remainder of Ndadaye's term. As Ntaryamira was a Hutu, the appointment generated hostility from many Tutsis. Kinigi, however, recognised Ntaryamira as President, and retained her position as Prime Minister. In February, however, she was replaced by Anatole Kanyenkiko
Anatole Kanyenkiko
Anatole Kanyenkiko was Prime Minister of Burundi from 7 February 1994 to 22 February 1995. An ethnic Tutsi from Ngozi Province, Kanyenkiko was a member of the Union for National Progress party.-References:...
, another Tutsi. Kinigi then took a position in Burundi's banking sector.
As of 2004, Kinigi was working with the United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
.