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Pierre NkurunzizaPresident of Burundi since August 26, 2005
Date of Birth: 18.12.1963
Country:  Burundi |
Content:
Biography of Pierre Nkurunziza
Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of Burundi since August 26, 2005, was born on December 18, 1963, in the capital city of Burundi, Bujumbura. His mother was an American, while his father, Ostache Ngabisha, was a member of the Burundian parliament and later became the governor of two provinces. Unfortunately, his father lost his life during the unrest in 1972, which claimed the lives of over a hundred thousand people. Pierre Nkurunziza has a sister and six brothers.
Education and Early Career
Nkurunziza attended primary school in the Ngosi province and then continued his education at a secondary school in the Gitenga province. In 1990, he graduated from the University of Burundi with a degree in sports coaching. After completing his studies, he worked as a teacher at a secondary school in Muramvye. Later, Nkurunziza became a professor at the University of Burundi and the Burundian Military Academy.
Political Career
In 1993, Burundi witnessed the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye, the first representative of the Hutu rebel group, which later became a political party. In the same year, Pierre Nkurunziza lost five of his siblings during the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic clashes. After these events, Nkurunziza joined the Hutu party "National Congress for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy" (CNDD-FDD).
Initially, Nkurunziza served as a soldier until 1998 when he was appointed the Deputy Secretary-General of CNDD-FDD. Three years later, he became the party's chairman. In 2003, he was appointed as the Minister of Public Service Improvement in the interim government led by Domitien Ndayizeye.
During the armed conflicts between the Hutu and Tutsi, Nkurunziza narrowly escaped death multiple times. He witnessed his potential killers being eaten by crocodiles in the Maragarazi River. However, as a result of peace agreements, he was granted amnesty. In 2003, a peace agreement was signed between the Hutu and Tutsi.
Presidency
In the summer of 2005, CNDD-FDD won the parliamentary elections in Burundi. Pierre Nkurunziza, who led the party, was nominated as the presidential candidate. He faced no significant opposition, and on August 26, 2005, Nkurunziza became the President of Burundi for a five-year term. In his position, he has advocated against tribalism and has fought for peace, justice, and security for all ethnic groups and layers of the population. However, the Hutu group occasionally continues to ambush the Tutsi, resulting in the loss of innocent lives.
Nkurunziza has been married since 1994 and is the father of two sons. In 2003, he brought together his remaining family members, including his sister and brother, to live together in one house.
