Sylvie Kinigi

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sylvie Kinigi (born November 24, 1953 ) was Prime Minister of Burundi from July 10, 1993 to February 7, 1994 .

Sylvie Kinigi belongs to the Tutsi ethnic group ; her husband is Hutu . They have five children together. Kinigi studied at the University of Burundi and then worked in the social field. She then took on a position as economic advisor to the Prime Minister. After Melchior Ndadayes was elected President of Burundi, the latter appointed her Prime Minister. This should be a sign of efforts to reconcile the country's two ethnic groups. Ndadaye was a Hutu and with the appointment of Kinigi wanted to reduce distrust among the Tutsi. Kinigi stated that bringing the races together is a top priority in her policy.

The beginning of the civil war in Burundi led to violent attacks against the other ethnic group. President Ndadaye and six of his ministers were murdered by insurgent Tutsi. Kinigi sought refuge in the French embassy and survived the events. The following year, Parliament declared former Agriculture Minister Cyprien Ntaryamira president. Kinigi retained her post as the country's prime minister. On February 7, 1994, Anatole Kanyenkiko - also Tutsi - succeeded her and Kinigi took over a position in the financial sector.