Burundi History

Burundi History has fascinated people from ages. The original inhabitants of the land were the Twas. However these Pygmy people make up 1% of the population currently.

The other inhabitants of this African country are the Hutus and the Tutsi people, who share the same language and the same tradition. Bu the min difference lies in their occupations.

Burundi History reveals that this country used to be a part of the German East Africa. It gained independence in 1962 and came under the rule of Mwmi Mwambutsa IV, a Tutsi. In 1965 a Hutu rebellion took place. In 1966 Ntare V came to power. He was overthrown in a military coup the same year. The leader of this coup was Premier Michel Micombero. History in Burundi witnessed a civil war in 1970-71.

History of Burundi records another coup in 1976. Col. Jean-Baptiste Bagaza led this coup. He was again overthrown by Maj Pierre Buyoya in 1987. The first democratic presidential elections were won by Melchoir Ndadaye in 1993. Several civil wars followed. Finally the peace talk of 2001 that includes sharing of power brought in some positive result. The peace talk between the only rebel group and government continued even in 2006. Thus the country is expecting a peaceful bright future.

Burundi History has fascinated people from ages. The original inhabitants of the land were the Twas. However these Pygmy people make up 1% of the population currently.

The other inhabitants of this African country are the Hutus and the Tutsi people, who share the same language and the same tradition. But the main difference lies in their occupations.

Burundi Genocide

The ethnic conflict between the Hutu and the Tutsi people has been a great challenge for Burundi. The Tutsi people in spite of being the minority used to dominate the government of Burundi. After gaining independence in 1972 this country has witnessed several massacre. Many people were killed in Burundi Genocide.

Burundi Genocide took place in 1972 and later in 1993. The Tutsi army killed the Hutu people in 1972 and the Tutsi people were killed in the 1993 Genocide of Burundi. But the first incident was not included in the government record. Only the second one was recognized by them.

The Hutu president Ndadaye won the election in 1993 and the Hutu government was formed. He was assassinated. After the killing of Ndadaye the country faced tremendous civil strife. As a result nearly 50,000 Tutsi people were killed by the Hutus. Many Hutu civilians became the victim of the mass killing by the Burundi Army which was dominated by the Tutsis. The killing of the Tutsi people was only included in the record of the Genocide of Burundi. Burundi Ethnic Conflict Genocide The 1972 Burundi Ethnic Conflict Genocide rendered many Hutus homeless. They fled to Rwanda. This increased the cross-border violence. People of both the ethnic groups were killed. Rwanda Patriotic Front led by the Tutsi people attacked the Hutu people. They responded by leading a genocide in 1994. The country’s economy and culture were much affected by these civil wars and genocide.

Burundi Civil War

Burundi Civil War broke out in 1993 between the two ethnic groups the Hutus and the Tutsis. The killing of the president Melchior Ndadaye is the primary reason behind this war. The economy of Burundi has been highly affected by this civil war. The ethnic conflict has been devastating for the country. The Tutsis used to dominate the army and the government of the Burundi.

Burundi Civil War resulted in the killing of 200, 00 people approximately. A military coup was led in 1996. President Ntare was overthrown in this military coup. He was replaced by Premier Michel Micombero.

In 1976 a coup was led by Bagaza, who was again overthrown by Major Pierre Buyoya in 1987. Civil war in Burundi includes another ethnic conflict 1988. The first democratic presidential election was won by Melchior Ndadaye, who was killed in within a few months. Cyprien Ntaryamira, the second president was also killed in 1994. After the killing of these two Hutu presidents, a severe war broke out between these two communities.

After witnessing several coups and civil wars the two ethnic groups of Burundi finally got ready to engage themselves in a peace talk in 2001. The peace plan included sharing of power. Buyoya, a Tutsi and Domitien Ndayizeye, a Hutu came to power following one another. On of the Hutu rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza got elected as a president in 2005. The other rebel group continued the peace talk with the government in 2006. Thus the civil unrest in Burundi seems to have come to an end finally.