Sylvie Kinigi

Sylvie Kinigi, born on November twenty-fourth, nineteen fifty-two, is a prominent Burundian politician and economist who made history by serving as the prime minister of Burundi from July tenth, nineteen ninety-three, to February seventh, nineteen ninety-four. Additionally, she held the position of acting president from November nineteen ninety-three until February fifth, nineteen ninety-four, becoming the second African woman to assume a presidential role.

Hailing from a Tutsi family, Kinigi pursued her education in banking, earning a degree from the University of Burundi in nineteen seventy-nine, followed by a diploma from the Centre de Formation de la Profession Bancaire in Paris. Her political career began with her affiliation to the Union pour le Progrès national (UPRONA), the only legal political party in Burundi at the time. By nineteen eighty-seven, she was an active member of the Union des Femmes Burundaises, advocating for legislative reforms and government initiatives aimed at benefiting women.

In nineteen ninety, Kinigi was appointed to the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, where she directed the research and statistics department. The following year, she took charge of the country's structural adjustment program. The summer of nineteen ninety-three marked a significant turning point when free elections were held, resulting in a victory for the rival party, Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi (FRODEBU). Subsequently, she was appointed prime minister by the newly elected President Melchior Ndadaye.

During her tenure, Kinigi prioritized economic development and sought to reduce ethnic tensions between Tutsis and Hutus, emphasizing the need for ethnic reconciliation. However, following a coup attempt on October twenty-first, nineteen ninety-three, which resulted in the assassination of President Ndadaye, she became the highest-ranking official and de facto head of state. Despite her efforts, her government struggled to manage the ensuing ethnic violence, yet she played a crucial role in facilitating a political compromise that led to the election of Cyprien Ntaryamira as president.

After resigning when Ntaryamira took office in nineteen ninety-four, Kinigi transitioned to an executive role at the Banque Commerciale du Burundi. She later held various international positions before returning to Burundi in two thousand eight, where she became an independent economic consultant.