Micombero, Michel (born 1940)

Burundi army officer, prime minister and president 1966-76, a Tutsi. He led the army in support of Prince Charles Nidzeye (later King Ntare V) during the coup in July 1966, and was named as prime minister. In November 1966 he announced the deposition of Ntare V and the establishment of a republic, with himself as president. He formed the Supreme Council of the Republic, which gave him the rank of colonel in 1966 and lieutenant general in 1973. He was deposed in a military coup in 1976.

Micombero received his military education at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, Belgium, and moved rapidly through the grades to become a captain. In 1962 he became chief of staff and defence secretary.