Burundi

From 1890 Burundi was part of German East Africa and from 1919 part of Ruanda-Urundi, administered by Belgium as a League of Nations mandate. The country gained independence on 1 July 1962. In April 1972 fighting between rebels from Burundi and neighbouring countries and the ruling Tutsi, apparently aiming to destroy Tutsi hegemony, killed up to 120,000. Following the deposition of Presidents Micombero and Bagaza by the army on 1 Nov. 1976 and 3 Sept. 1987, respectively, Maj. Pierre Buyoya, a Tutsi, assumed the presidency on 1 Oct. 1987.