Chief of the Defence Staff (Burundi)

Chief of Defence Staff
Chef de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi (French) Umukuru w’ibiro bikuru vya gisirikare (Kirundi)
Incumbent General Prime Niyongabo since 9 November 2012; 13 years ago (2012-11-09)
Minister of National Defense & War Veterans
Type	Chief of defence Chief of staff
Abbreviation	C/FDNB
Reports to	Minister of National Defense & War Veterans
Seat	État-Major Général, Bujumbura
Appointer	President of Burundi with advice and consent from Senate
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Burundi Arrêté Royale No 001/614 Loi organique N°1/ 022 du 31 Décembre 2004 portant Création, Organisation, Mission et Fonctionnement de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi Loi organique N°1/ 04 du 20 février 2017 portant Missions, Organisation, Composition, Instruction, Conditions de service et Fonctionnement de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi
Formation	March 7, 1966; 59 years ago (1966-03-07)
First holder	Major Albert Shibura
Deputy	Chef Adjoint de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi
Website	Official website

The Chief of the Defence Staff (Chef de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi (French), Umukuru w’ibiro bikuru vya gisirikare (Kirundi) , C/FDNB; lit. 'Chief of the Burundi National Defence Force') is the military head of the armed forces of the Republic of Burundi, overseeing all military operations.

The headquarters of the army's general staff (État-Major Général de le FDNB (French), EMG/FDNB) is made up of three major components: the Land Force, the Air Force and the Navy.

List of officeholders

Chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces (1962-1966)

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Term of office			Ref.
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Colonel Verwayen	1 July 1962	7 March 1966	3 years, 8 months

Chiefs of defence staff of the Armed Forces of Burundi (1966–2004)

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Term of office			Ref.
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
2		Major Albert Shibura (born 1939)	07 March 1966	06 May 1967	1 year, 1 month
3		Major General Thomas Ndabemeye	06 May 1967	1976	8–9 years
4		Colonel Sylvère Nzohabonayo	1976	1977	0–1 years
5		Colonel Antoine Niyungeko	1977	1981	3–4 years
6		Lieutenant colonel Charles Kazatsa	1981	1982	3–4 years
7		Colonel Herménélgide Karenzo	1982	1987	4–5 years
8		Colonel Edmond Ndakazi	1987	1989	1–2 years
9		Colonel Michel Mibarurwa	1989	1993	3–4 years
10		Colonel Jean Bikomagu (died 2015)	1993	1996	2–3 years
11		Lieutenant general Vincent Niyungeko	1996	2002	5–6 years
12		Lieutenant general Germain Niyoyankana (born 1955)	2002	2005	2–3 years

Chiefs of defence staff of the National Defence Force of Burundi (2005–2017)

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Term of office			Ref.
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
13		Major General Samuel Gahiro	2005	2009	3–4 years
14		Major General Godefroid Niyombare (born 1969)	2009	2012	2–3 years	[1]
15		General Prime Niyongabo (born 1970)	9 November 2012	20 February 2017	4 years, 3 months	[2]

Chiefs of defence staff of the National Defence Force of Burundi (newest law) (2017–present)

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Term of office			Ref.
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
15		General Prime Niyongabo (born 1970)	20 February 2017	Incumbent	8 years, 289 days

References

1. "Exclusive: Burundi coup plotter says he had 'no other option'". France 24. 13 May 2015.
2. "Burundi army chief Gen Niyongabo survives assassination bid". BBC News. 11 September 2015.