List of Presidents of Burundi: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Burundi from 1966 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Burundi, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Burundi: Évariste Ndayishimiye (in office since 2020).

Presidents of Burundi in order, with years in office

Michel Micombero

Served: 1966–1976

First head of state after the 1966 coup; deposed on 1 November 1976.

Jean-Baptiste Bagaza

Served: 1976–1987

Took power in 1976 and was deposed in the coup of 3 September 1987.

Pierre Buyoya

Served: 1987–1993, 1996–2003

Took power in 1987 and lost the 1993 election; returned after the July 1996 coup and led until April 2003.

Melchior Ndadaye

Served: 1993

First democratically elected and first Hutu president; assassinated on 21 October 1993 after about three months in office.

François Ngeze

Served: 1993 (acting)

Acted briefly as head of state after Ndadaye's assassination, from 21 to 27 October 1993.

Sylvie Kinigi

Served: 1993–1994 (interim)

Prime minister who served as interim head of state; the only woman to have held the role.

Cyprien Ntaryamira

Served: 1994

Took office in February 1994 and was assassinated on 6 April 1994, the day Rwanda's president also died.

Sylvestre Ntibantunganya

Served: 1994–1996

Led the country until he was deposed in the coup of 25 July 1996.

Domitien Ndayizeye

Served: 2003–2005

Became president on 30 April 2003 and served until August 2005.

Pierre Nkurunziza

Served: 2005–2020

Elected in 2005, 2010 and 2015; his third term was controversial and he died in June 2020.

Pascal Nyabenda

Served: 2020 (acting)

Served as acting president from 10 to 18 June 2020 after Nkurunziza's death.

Évariste Ndayishimiye

Served: 2020–present

Elected in 2020 and sworn in on 18 June 2020.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Burundi

Who is the current president of Burundi?

The current head of state of Burundi is Évariste Ndayishimiye, in office since 2020.

Who were the previous presidents of Burundi?

The presidents and heads of state of Burundi listed on this page, in order, are: Michel Micombero, Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, Pierre Buyoya, Melchior Ndadaye, François Ngeze, Sylvie Kinigi, Cyprien Ntaryamira, Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, Domitien Ndayizeye, Pierre Nkurunziza, Pascal Nyabenda, Évariste Ndayishimiye.

Who was the first president of Burundi?

Michel Micombero was the first president of Burundi, in office 1966–1976.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Burundi; Wikidata-based lists (checked Nov 2026). Includes interim and acting leaders, who are labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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