Burundi
1 July 1962
- Sovereignty from
- Belgium (UN trusteeship)
- Marked as
- Independence Day
- Years sovereign
- 64
The struggle
Burundi was part of Ruanda-Urundi, a German colony transferred to Belgium after 1918 and governed through a hardened ethnic classification. Prince Louis Rwagasore's UPRONA won the 1961 elections on a platform of national unity across Hutu and Tutsi; he was assassinated two weeks later with Belgian-linked involvement. Independence came as a monarchy on 1 July 1962.
Key people
Louis Rwagasore
1932–1961
Led UPRONA to victory; assassinated in 1961
Mwambutsa IV
1912–1977
King at independence
Paul Mirerekano
1921–1965
Nationalist organiser and UPRONA leader
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