Adolphe Nshimirimana
Adolphe Nshimirimana | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 2, 1964 |
| Died | 2 August 2015 (aged 50) |
| Resting place | Gitega, Burundi |
Adolphe Nshimirimana (September 12, 1964 – August 2, 2015) was a Burundian military general who served as army chief of staff, as well as a senior presidential adviser for internal security and close political ally of President Pierre Nkurunziza.[1] Observers viewed Lt. Gen. Nshimirimana as Nkurunziza's de facto internal security chief as head of the National Intelligence Service.[2] He was born at Nyabiraba in Gishubi Commune, Gitega Province.[2][3]
In 2015, President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to seek a third term, leading to widespread opposition and unrest.[1] Nshimirimana helped to defeat the attempted coup d'état against Nkurunziza in May 2015 and was seen as the mastermind behind the crackdown on opposition protesters.[1][2] Human Rights Watch accused Nshimirimana of becoming "one of the key hard-liners around the president."[1] Nshimirimana's influence increased as the unrest and street protests against Nkurunziza continued in mid-2015.[1] According to Carina Tertsakian of Human Rights Watch, "Despite or perhaps because of his brutal reputation, Adolphe was generally seen as untouchable, with no one in a position of power daring, or even suggesting, holding him to account."[1]
Nshimirimana was killed and three others were seriously injured in a rocket attack on his car at Gare du Nord (North Station) in Bujumbura at 8.30 a.m. on August 2, 2015.[2][4]
On August 4, 2015, Nkurunziza ordered the police to find the murderers of Nshimirimana, within ten days. He was considered the right-hand man of the president.[5]
On December 13, 2016, Burundi police announced that one of the suspects in Nshimirimana's assassination escaped from prison by killing a prison guard.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Controversial general close to Burundi president killed". Al Jazeera America (Associated Press). 2015-08-03. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
- ^ a b c d "Burundi president's ally killed in drive-by shooting". Al Jazeera English. 2015-08-02. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
- ^ "L'enterrement du Lt. Gnl. Adolphe Nshimirimana" (in French). IGL. 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Un assassinat éclair" (in French). Iwacu. 10 August 2015.
- ^ "Today FM - Burundi's President PIERRE NKURUNZIZA has ordered the police to find the killers of his ally, Lieutenant General ADOLPHE NSHIMIRIMANA within ten days". todayfmlive.com. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
- ^ Gildas Yihundimpundu, "Burundi general's alleged assassin kills guard, escapes", African News Agency, December 13, 2016.