Independence and civil war

On January 20, 1959, Burundi's ruler Mwami Mwambutsa IV requested from the Belgian Minister of Colonies a separation of Burundi and Rwanda and a dissolution of Ruanda-Urundi.[8] Six months later, political parties were formed to bring attention to Burundi's independence from Europe and to separate Rwanda from Burundi.[8] The first of these political parties was the Unity for National Progress (UPRONA).

Burundi's push for independence was influenced to some extent by the instability and ethnic persecution that occurred in Rwanda. In November 1959, Rwandese Hutu attacked the Tutsi and massacred them by the thousands. Many Tutsi escaped to Uganda and Burundi to find freedom from persecution. While in Burundi, many Tutsi started fighting the local Hutu, and Tutsi soldiers killed Hutu peasants in retaliation for Hutu violence in Rwanda.[9] The Hutu took power in Rwanda by winning Belgian-run elections in 1960.[10][11]

The UPRONA, a multi-ethnic unity party led by Prince Louis Rwagasore and the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) became the most prominent organizations throughout Burundi-Urundi. After UPRONA's victory in legislative elections, Prince Rwagasore was assassinated on October 13 in 1961, allegedly with the help of the Belgian colonial administration.[6] Instability followed.[12]

The country claimed independence on July 1, 1962,[6] and legally changed its name from Ruanda-Urundi to Burundi.[13] Mwami Mwambutsa IV was named king.[10] On September 18, 1962, just over a month after declaring independence from Belgium, Burundi joined the United Nations

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