DOMITIEN NDAYIZEYE

Domitien Ndayizeye, born on May 2, 1953, is a prominent Burundian politician who served as the President of Burundi from 2003 to 2005. His presidency marked a significant period in Burundi's history as the nation endeavored to emerge from a long and devastating civil war that began in 1993. Ndayizeye assumed the presidency on April 30, 2003, succeeding Pierre Buyoya, under whom he had served as Vice President for 18 months. His leadership was characterized by efforts to foster peace and reconciliation in a country deeply divided along ethnic lines.

Before ascending to the presidency, Ndayizeye was appointed as the director of the National Intelligence Service in 1994 by then-President Cyprien Ntaryamira. His role in this position underscored his influence within the Burundian political landscape, particularly during a period when the country was grappling with intense internal conflict.

As President, Ndayizeye took significant steps to navigate Burundi through its fragile transition. In 2004, he proposed a draft constitution aimed at promoting equitable power-sharing between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. However, his tenure was not without challenges; tensions with the Tutsi community became apparent when they boycotted legislative sessions discussing the proposed constitution. Despite these obstacles, Ndayizeye remained committed to the peace process, although the referendum on the constitution had to be postponed due to inadequate preparation.

Ndayizeye's time in office came to an end on August 26, 2005, when he was succeeded by Pierre Nkurunziza. His political career, however, continued beyond his presidency. In August 2006, Ndayizeye was arrested in Bujumbura over allegations of involvement in a coup plot. Despite the serious nature of the charges, he steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that he had distanced himself from politics to focus on business and family life. In January 2007, he was acquitted, along with former Vice President Alphonse-Marie Kadege and others, clearing his name of the charges.

Ndayizeye's political journey did not end with his acquittal. During the 2010 general elections, he ran for the presidency as a representative of his party but later withdrew, along with other opposition parties, citing allegations of electoral fraud by the ruling party. His dedication to Burundian politics persisted, and in 2015, following the assassination of opposition politician Zedi Feruzi during a period of unrest, Ndayizeye, along with other opposition leaders, cut off talks with President Pierre Nkurunziza's government.

Today, Domitien Ndayizeye remains a key figure in Burundian politics, leading the National Gathering for Change (RANAC). Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domitien_Ndayizeye