Sylvie Kinigi 1702966 180007261 2007-12-24T20:13:46Z BOTijo 3729068 +DEFAULTSORT '''Sylvie Kinigi''' (born [[1952]]) was [[Prime Minister of Burundi|Prime Minister]] of [[Burundi]] from [[10 July]] [[1993]] to [[7 February]] [[1994]], the first and to date only woman to hold the position. Kinigi was born in 1952, and is a member of the [[Tutsi]] ethnic group. Her husband, with whom she had five children, was a member of the [[Hutu]] ethnic group — there has traditionally been a poor relationship between Tutsis and Hutus. Kinigi graduated from [[Burundi University]], having studied economic management, and worked in the Burundi civil service. She eventually became a senior advisor in the Prime Minister's office, focusing on economic policy. When [[Melchior Ndadaye]] was elected [[President of Burundi]] in [[1993]], he appointed Kinigi as his Prime Minister. This was part of an effort to build unity between Burundi's two ethnic groups — Ndadaye was a Hutu, and wished to decrease Tutsi hostility to his administration by appointing a Tutsi as Prime Minister. Kinigi stated that reconciliation between the two ethnic groups would be her highest priority. On [[21 October]], however, President Ndadaye and six of his ministers were captured and killed by Tutsi insurgents. This marked the beginning of the [[Burundi Civil War]], with widespread ethnic violence breaking out. Kinigi and other senior government figures took refuge in the [[France|French]] [[embassy]], and survived the chaos. On [[1 November]], Kinigi attempted to gather together a new administration, effectively becoming acting President. Her position was bolstered when [[Pierre Buyoya]] and [[Jean Baptiste Bagaza]], former presidents, gave their support to her government. In January the following year, Parliament declared that [[Cyprien Ntaryamira]], the former agriculture minister, would serve as President for the remainder of Ndadaye's term. As Ntaryamira was a Hutu, the appointment generated hostility from many Tutsis. Kinigi, however, recognised Ntaryamira as President, and retained her position as Prime Minister. In February, however, she was replaced by [[Anatole Kanyenkiko]], another Tutsi. Kinigi then took a position in Burundi's banking sector. As of 2004, Kinigi was working with the UNDP. {{start box}} {{succession box|title=[[Rulers and heads of state of Burundi|Head of State of Burundi]]|before=[[François Ngeze]]|after=[[Cyprien Ntaryamira]]|years=[[1993]]–[[1994]]}} {{end box}} {{BurundiPres}} {{BurundiPMs}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kingi, Sylvie}} [[Category:1952 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Burundian politicians]] [[Category:Female heads of government]] [[Category:Female heads of state]] [[de:Sylvie Kinigi]] [[et:Sylvie Kinigi]] [[fr:Sylvie Kinigi]] [[sv:Sylvie Kinigi]]