10 Facts About Godefroid Niyombare

Godefroid Niyombare was born on 1969 and is a Burundian military officer who led a coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza on 13 May 2015.

At the time of the coup attempt, Niyombare was a Major General.

Godefroid Niyombare previously served as military chief of staff and as Burundi's Ambassador to Kenya, and was head of the National Intelligence Service from December 2014, when he replaced Adolphe Nshimirimana, until February 2015, when he was dismissed by Nkurunziza and replaced by Major-General Moise Pasteur Bucumi.

Godefroid Niyombare was confirmed in that post by a vote of the Senate on 16 April 2009.

Godefroid Niyombare was the first Hutu to head the army.

Godefroid Niyombare said on 14 March 2011 that the soldiers had been deployed a week before.

In late 2014, Godefroid Niyombare was appointed as head of the National Intelligence Service.

Godefroid Niyombare served in that post for only three months, as he was dismissed by Nkurunziza in February 2015.

Godefroid Niyombare's dismissal occurred after the leaking of a 10-page memo he wrote arguing against Nkurunziza's controversial plans to run for a third term.

Godefroid Niyombare said that he hoped the loyalists would not kill them.