Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi

Mwambutsa IV
King ("Mwami") of Burundi
King Mwambutsa IV during a visit to Israel in December 1962, pictured with president Yitzhak Ben Zvi
Reign	16 December 1915 – 8 July 1966
Predecessor	Mutaga IV Mbikije
Successor	Ntare V Ndizeye
House	Ntwero
Father	Mutaga IV Mbikije
Born	1912
Died	26 April 1977 Geneva, Switzerland

King Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge (1912 – 26 April 1977), succeeded on the death of his father Mutaga IV Mbikije, 30 November 1915.

He was enthroned king of Burundi at Muramvya, 16 December 1915. He was given the title of Mwami, or King.^[1] He reigned under the Regency of Queen Ririkumutima , until he came of age. He was invested with full ruling powers, 28 August 1929. Like other Burundian kings, he was an ethnic Ganwa. During the early part of his reign, Burundi was transferred from Germany to Belgium following World War I.^[2] He was the king of Burundi when it was granted independence, 1 July 1962, and become an independent constitutional monarchy, which suffered much turmoil including the assassinations of at least three prime ministers. He had to continue switching prime ministers to stay in favor of both Hutus and Tutsis.

In March 1966, he appointed his only surviving son as Regent, and entrusted him with full executive powers. Thereafter lived abroad, mostly in Switzerland. He was deposed by Michel Micombero in favor of his son Ntare V, 8 July 1966. He spent the rest of his life in Switzerland until he died in 1977.

References

1. ↑ http://www.royalark.net/Burundi/burundi9.htm
2. ↑ Afrique, terre d'histoire. Au cœur de la recherche avec Jean-Pierre Chrétien. Par Christine Deslaurier, Jean-Pierre Chrétien