Léopold Biha
Prime Minister of Burundi (1955–1956) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Léopold Bihumugani or Biha (1919–2003) was a Burundian politician who served as Prime Minister of Burundi from 13 September 1965 until 8 July 1966. A Ganwa born to a chief in Ruanda-Urundi, he became a close confidant of Mwami Mwambutsa IV in the 1940s after being given charge of a chiefdom which included some of the monarch's property. In the late 1950s he became involved in the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) party as the Belgian colonial administration prepared to grant Burundi its independence. Biha left the party after becoming disenchanted with leader Louis Rwagasore's populist style, and held different roles in transitional governments. He created a new party, Burundi Populaire, but failed to get elected to office and was appointed private secretary to the Mwami after independence.
Léopold Biha | |
---|---|
Prime Minister of Burundi | |
In office 13 September 1965 – 8 July 1966 | |
Monarch | Mwambutsa IV |
Preceded by | Joseph Bamina |
Succeeded by | Michel Micombero |
Personal details | |
Born | 1919 Muramvya Province, Ruanda-Urundi |
Died | 2003 (aged 83–84) |
Political party | Union for National Progress (UPRONA) Burundi Populaire (BP) Parliamentary Monarchist Party (PMP) |
Following a political crisis and a rise in ethnic tensions in 1965, Mwambutsa appointed Biha as Prime Minister. Hutu and Tutsi politicians were both dissatisfied by his selection, and Biha was seriously wounded in an October coup attempt. He spent several months convalescing in Belgium before returning to Burundi to resume his post in February 1966. He was removed from office during a coup launched by Mwambutsa's son, Crown Prince Charles Ndizeye, in July. He was arrested two months later and, after his release, avoided politics for decades. He co-founded a monarchist party in 2001 and died two years later.