Joseph Cimpaye became involved in politics under Belgian colonial rule, co-founding the Union of Popular Parties, a cartel which was opposed by the more popular anti-colonial Union for National Progress.
17 Facts About Joseph Cimpaye
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Joseph Cimpaye briefly held the position of prime minister in 1961 before UPRONA was decisively returned in the country's first elections ahead of Burundi's independence in July 1962.
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Joseph Cimpaye was among a number of influential Hutus killed in the genocidal violence of 1972 instigated by the Micombero regime.
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Joseph Cimpaye was born in 1929 in Mugera, a small town in Gitega Province, Ruanda-Urundi.
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Joseph Cimpaye's mother was ethnically Tutsi, while Joseph was Hutu.
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Joseph Cimpaye completed his primary education in Rulindo District in Ruanda, where his father was posted.
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Joseph Cimpaye went on to receive a secondary education at the Groupe Scolaire d'Astrida, where he studied veterinary science until 1952.
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Louis Rwagasore 8.
Joseph Cimpaye became active in local politics and founded a short-lived political party called AMEHUTU in May 1960.
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Shortly after their creation, the number of portfolios was expanded and Joseph Cimpaye was named Commissioner of Public Works.
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Joseph Cimpaye left his laboratory position to assume the office.
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In March 1961 Joseph Cimpaye co-founded the Union of Popular Parties, a cartel to stand against the more popular Union for National Progress under Prince Louis Rwagasore.
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Joseph Cimpaye left politics after UPRONA's victory and took up a career in journalism and public relations.
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Joseph Cimpaye later returned to Bujumbura and was hired by the Belgian airline Sabena on 2 January 1964 as a public relations specialist.
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Joseph Cimpaye was later made head of sales for the Bujumubura office.
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Joseph Cimpaye was arrested by the regime on 6 October 1969 for alleged involvement in a Hutu coup plot.
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Joseph Cimpaye was released from prison in a general amnesty on 1 July 1971.
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Joseph Cimpaye was among a number of Hutu elites killed during the Ikiza by Micombero's regime in May 1972.