Ntare V of Burundi

Ntare V
King of Burundi
Reign	8 July 1966 – 28 November 1966
Coronation	3 september 1966
Born	(1947-12-02)2 December 1947 Gitega, Burundi
Died	Gitega, Burundi
Full name Crown Prince Charles
House	Ntwero
Father	Mwambutsa IV
Mother	Baramparaye

Ntare V of Burundi (born Charles Ndizeye, 2 December 1947 — 29 April 1972) was the last king of Burundi from June to November 1966. Until his accession, he was known as Crown Prince Charles Ndizeye. He deposed his father, Mwambutsa IV in 1966. King Ntare himself was deposed, the same year, in a military coup led by Michel Micombero; in 1966 the former king went into exile in West Germany and later Uganda.

Early life

His mother was Queen Baramparaye (1929—2007); he had one half-brother (Prince Louis Rwagasore, assassinated 1961 whilst Prime Minister, and two half-sisters; Princess Rosa Paula Iribagiza (born 1934) and Princess Regina Kanyange (died 1987). Ntare V was educated at Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland.

Execution

See also: Burundian Genocide § 1972

Ntare V returned to Burundi in March 1972. Soon afterwards the Hutus began an uprising against the government and established the short-lived state of Martyazo. Uganda’s president, Idi Amin, claimed he received a written guarantee from President Micombero that Ntare could return to Burundi and live there as a private citizen. Using the helicopter at his disposal from the Uganda chief of state, Ntare arrived where he and his ancestors had ruled as kings. Within a few hours he was put under house arrest in the former palace in Gitega. Soon after, an official radio broadcast proclaimed that Ntare was trying to instigate a mercenary invasion of Burundi to take back rule. Some ministers favored that he would be kept under restricted protection in Gitega, while others wanted him dead. The situation was unofficially resolved when Ntare was assassinated sometime between Saturday evening, April 29, and the following morning, under circumstances which are still unclear.

Whether there was a conspiracy or his death was involved with a violent outbreak in Gitega has not been determined. Radio Nationale du Burundi (RNB Broadcasting) announced that the king was shot while attempting to escape from the palace where he had been "under arrest". The king's supporters claim he was taken from the Royal Palace and executed by a firing squad before being thrown into a common grave. Mwami N’tare V was 24 years old. Meanwhile, the Hutu uprising was quelled by Micombero's forces. Between 80,000 and 210,000 people died in the ensuing war and genocide.

Honours

National Honours

• Grand Master of the Royal Order of Prince Louis Rwagasore.
• 50px Grand Master of the Royal Order of Ruzinko (Royal Male Drum).
• 50px Grand Master of the Royal Order of Karyenda (Royal Female Drum).
• 50px Grand Master of the Military Order of Karyenda (Royal Female Drum).

Ancestry

Family of Ntare V of Burundi

16. Ntare IV, Sultan and Mwami of Burundi               8. Mwezi IV, Sultan and Mwami of Burundi                       17. Vyano, of the Mwenengwe clan               4. Mutaga IV, Sultan and Mwami of Burundi                             9. Vyano, of the Bunyakarama clan                       2. Mwambutsa IV, King of Burundi                                   5. Princess Ngenzahago, of the Munyagisaka clan                             1. Ntare V, King of Burundi                                         6. Umuganwa ntare Mathias Ruhasha, from the Bakundo clan                             3. Baramparaye                                   7. Bernadette Mucereza

External links

• Royal Ark
• Monarchiste

References

Ntare V of Burundi House of Ntwero Born: 2 December 1947 Died: 29 April 1972
Preceded by Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi	King of Burundi 8 July 1966 – 28 November 1966	Vacant Monarchy abolished
Preceded by Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi	Head of State of Burundi 1966	Succeeded by Michel Micombero (as President)