Burundi Blames Belgium For 1961 Murder Of Crown Prince

By Alaattin Dogru





Burundi has accused its former colonizer Belgium of ordering the assassination of Burundian independence figure Crown Prince Louis Rwagasore in 1961.





Government spokesman Prosper Ntahogwamiye said the Belgian colonial power, through its divide and rule tactics, played a major role in the social and political crisis the East African country has suffered.





Speaking on the occasion the 57th anniversary of Rwagasore's assassination on Sunday, Ntahogwamiye said Belgium was a "true backer of the assassination of Rwagasore" and "has yet to explain itself".





Rwagasore was named prime minister as the country struggled for independence. He was assassinated in October 1961, by a man accompanied by three Burundian members of a pro-Belgian party.



Burundi gained its independence in July 1962. Since then, the country has been marred by ethnic conflicts and political struggle that killed thousands of people. -