Evariste Ndayishimiye
President
Timeline
Born on 17 June in Musama, Giheta, Gitega Province, Burundi.
Fled the University of Burundi and joined the CNDD–FDD rebel group during the Burundian Civil War.
Served as Minister of the Interior and Public Security until 2007.
Gained a degree from Wisdom University of Africa.
Won presidential elections in May and was inaugurated as President of Burundi on 18 June.
Designated by the African Union as its special envoy to the Sahel region on 17 July.
Elected Chairperson of the African Union in February.
Biography
Évariste Ndayishimiye, born on 17 June 1968, is a Burundian general and politician who has served as the tenth President of Burundi since 18 June 2020. He became involved with the rebel National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD–FDD) during the Burundian Civil War, rising through its ranks. After the conflict, he joined the Burundian Army and held various political offices under President Pierre Nkurunziza, who later endorsed him as his successor. Ndayishimiye won the 2020 elections and was inaugurated early following Nkurunziza's unexpected death. His presidency has been noted for a less isolationist foreign policy and a stronger initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, though Burundi later rejected COVAX vaccines. He was elected Chairperson of the African Union for 2026.
Early Life & Background
Évariste Ndayishimiye was born on 17 June 1968 at Musama, Kabanga Zone in Giheta, Gitega Province, Burundi. He is reported to be a "fervent" Catholic. He began studying law at the University of Burundi but fled in 1995 due to inter-ethnic violence and massacres of Hutu students during the Burundian Civil War. He subsequently joined the moderate rebel National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD–FDD), which primarily drew support from ethnic Hutu.
Education
Évariste Ndayishimiye began studies in law at the University of Burundi (UB) but his studies were interrupted in 1995 due to the Burundian Civil War. He later studied at Wisdom University of Africa, where he gained a degree in 2014.
Political & Professional Career
Ndayishimiye became involved with the rebel National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD–FDD) during the Burundian Civil War, presiding over its militia and military activities. Following the conflict, he became deputy chief of staff of the Burundian Army. In 2005, the CNDD–FDD came to power. He served as Minister of the Interior and Public Security from 2006 to 2007, then as personal military aide (chef de cabinet militaire) to President Pierre Nkurunziza until 2014. He also chaired the Burundi National Olympic Committee for much of this period. In 2018, Nkurunziza endorsed Ndayishimiye as the CNDD–FDD candidate for the 2020 presidential elections, which he won with 68 percent of the vote. He was inaugurated as the tenth President of Burundi on 18 June 2020. In February 2026, he was elected Chairperson of the African Union.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Became the tenth President of Burundi on 18 June 2020., Reduced the number of cabinet ministers from 21 to 15 in his first cabinet., Pursued a less isolationist foreign policy compared to his predecessor, making several state visits and hosting foreign leaders., Designated by the African Union as its special envoy to the Sahel region on 17 July 2025., Elected Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2026.