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Long thread alert! If you're like me, you've probably been wondering who members of Neva's inaugural Cabinet are. In preparation for an episode of #FindingBurundi looking at what Burundians can expect from this gvt, here's what I found about them: #MeetYourGovenmentBurundi.
Let's start with VP Prosper Bazombanza. Born in Rusaka Commune in the province of Mwaro in 1960, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the University of Burundi. He served as governor of Mwaro from 2002 to 2005.
In recent years, Bazombanza has held several positions including the Manager at the provincial coordination of vocational training in Mwaro and member of a member of the National Commission for Land and Other Assets (CNTB).
He briefly served as first vice president under Nkurunziza from 2014 to 2015. Most recently, he was the Director General of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). He is a member of the UPRONA.
PM Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni is one member of this gvt that probably doesn't need any introduction. Born in Bujumbura in 1972, he started his university education at the University of Burundi in 1994 but dropped out soon after that to join the CNDD-FDD rebellion.
After the signing of the cease-fire in 2003, Bunyoni was appointed coordinator of integrated General Staff of the national police. He was the Director General of Police between 2005 & 2007 when he was first appointed Minister of Internal Security.
From 2011 and 2015, General Bunyoni served as Civilian Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic and Permanent Secretary of the National Security Council and Chancellor of National Orders of the Republic of Burundi.
Bunyoni is one of Burundian individuals under sanctions from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Meet Engineer Alain-Tribert Mutabazi, Minister of National Defense and Veteran Affairs. Born in Kirundo in 1980, Engineer Mutabazi holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Burundi.
Mutabazi began his career as a teacher at Lycée de la Convivialité in Kanyosha, on the south side of Bujumbura before becoming the Head of the Financial Department at the Provincial Directorate of Education in Kirundo.
Later, he worked as the Economic Adviser to the Governor. He was appointed Governor of Kirundo in 2018, a position he held until his appointment as Minister of Defense.
Meet Jeanine Nibizi, Minister of Justice. Born in Gitega in 1987, She holds a law degree from University Lumière of Bujumbura.
Nibizi previously worked as the head of the Gitega prison, and was until her appointment the Attorney General of the Republic at the Court of Appeal of Gitega. I think she is the youngest minister in this government.
Meet Albert Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation. Born in Karusi in 1970, he holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the National University of Benin and a master’s degree in International Relations and Development from Laval University.
Prior to his work in government, Shingiro worked in communications and journalism. He was the founder and Editor-In-chief of the website http://www.abarundi.org (2001-2005). He was also CNDD-FDD legal representative in North America.
He joined foreign service in 2006, first as the Embassy Counselor at the Permanent Mission of Burundi to the United Nations in New York, then Head of Foreign Service & Executive Officer under the Presidency of the Republic of Burundi.
From 2012-2014, Shingiro worked as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was appointed Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations in 2014, a position he held until his appointment as Minister.
Meet Dr. Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. Born in Ngozi, Dr. Ndihokubwayo obtained his PhD in political economy, sociology, and political ethnology in 2004.
He was assistant lecturer at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Germany before returning to Burundi where he took a position as the Dean in the Faculty of Law, Economics and Administrative Sciences at the University of Ngozi.
Later, he became Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Planning and Community Development followed by a stint as Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry. He was the first Burundian to head the Burundian Revenue Office (OBR).
In 2019, he published a book titled "Burundi: The Second Decolonization". He also served as Minister of Finance in the Nkurunziza administration.
Meet Dr. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Minister of National Education and Scientific Research. Born in Karusi, Dr. Banyankimbona holds a PhD in biology from Leuven University. He teaches part-time in the Department of Biology of the University of Burundi where he's Rector since 2014.
Previously, he was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He also was Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Nkurunziza Administration. (His portfolio now includes primary and secondary education).
Meet Dr. Thaddée Ndikumana, Minister of Public Health and the Fight against HIV/AIDS. A native of Muramvya province, Dr. Ndikumana holds a doctorate in General Medicine from the University of Burundi. He's been Minister of Health and the Fight against HIV/AIDS since April 2018
Dr. Thaddée Ndikumana previously worked as the spokesperson in the same ministry. Prior to that, he was the Director of the National Integrated Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programme (PNILT).
Meet Dr Deo Guide Rurema, Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock. Born in Kayanza in 1967, Dr. Rurema holds Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Yaoundé.
He also has a Diploma of Higher Specialized Studies (DESS) in Agrobiodiversity and Management of Pests of Tropical Crops from the National University of Benin, a Master's Degree in Zoology and a PhD in Agricultural Entomology from the University of Abomey-Calavi.
Since 2008, Dr. Rurema has been a professor at the University of Burundi. Before being appointed Minister in 2015, he was Deputy Chief of Staff to the Second Vice-President of the Republic. (Damn, he is educated educated).
Meet DĂ©ogratias Nsanganiyumwami, Minister of Infrastructure and Social Housing. Born in Rutana, he previously worked as the Director of Animal Health in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. He is the president of Party for the Economic Independence of Burundi (PIEBU)
Meet Domine Banyankimbona , Minister responsible for the Civil Service, Labor, and Employment. A native of Bururi, she studied law at Hope University of Nairobi. Prior to the appointment, she served as Vice-President of the Supreme Court (2015-2020). Couldn't find a photo of her.
Meet Hon. Immaculée Ndabaneze, Minister of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism. Born in Bubanza, she's a an economist who previously served in the senate, where she was the President of the Standing Committee in charge of economic, environmental, finance and budget issues.
Meet Amb. Ezekiel Nibigira, Minister of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture. Born in Bujumbura Rural, he has a bachelor's degree from the University Hope Africa. He's known for being the former leader of IMBONERAKURE, CNDD-FDD's youth wing.
Nibigira previously served as Burundi's ambassador to Kenya and member of the National Assembly where he chaired the finance commission. Prior to this appointment, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs in the previous government.
Meet Police Chief Commissioner Gervais Ndirakobuca better known for his nickname “Ndakugarika”, Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Safety. Born in Cibitoke, Ndirakobuca served as head of the National Intelligence Service before being appointed Minister.
In 2012, he was appointed Chief of Cabinet at the National Intelligence Service. He is one of Burundian individuals under sanctions from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
