Pontien Gaciyubwenge
Gaciyubwenge in 2011
Minister of National Defence
In office
30 August 2010 – 18 May 2015
PresidentPierre Nkurunziza
Succeeded byEmmanuel Ntahomvukiye
Personal details
Born1956 (age 67–68)
Mwaro, Burundi

Pontien Gaciyubwenge (born 1956) is a Burundian politician and soldier. He served as Minister of National Defence in the government of President Pierre Nkurunziza from 30 August 2010 until he was fired on 18 May 2015, after a failed coup d'état took place.[1]

Life

Gaciyubwenge was born in Mwaro in 1956.[2] He obtained higher military education in Bujumbura from 1977 to 1982 and received additional training in the United States. Gaciyubwenge subsequently held command over groups, battalions and military regions until he was named director of planning.[2] On 30 August 2010, while holding the rank of major general, he was appointed Minister of Defence in a cabinet reshuffle.[3][4]

On 2 May 2015, during the 2015 Burundian unrest, Gaciyubwenge urged the armed forces of Burundi to remain neutral and act in accordance with the Arusha Agreements that ended the Burundian Civil War.[5][6] He also stated that "all political actors" should avoid the use of violence.[6] On 18 May 2015, after a failed coup d'état took place, he was fired.[1] He was replaced as Minister by Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Tom Odula (18 May 2015). "After coup attempt, Burundi President fire 3 ministers". The Washington Times. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 Tshitenge Lubabu M.K. (25 September 2012). "Burundi : l'armée en paix" (in French). Jeune Afrique. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Formation d'un nouveau gouvernement au Burundi" (in French). Panapress. 30 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.
  4. ↑ B. Turner (12 January 2017). The Statesman's Yearbook 2012: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World. Springer. pp. 28–. ISBN 978-1-349-59051-3.
  5. 1 2 "Burundi president sacks defence minister". The Nation. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Defense minister says Burundi military will remain neutral". Portland Press Herald. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.


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