Adolphe Nshimirimana

Adolphe Nshimirimana (September 12, 1964 – August 2, 2015) was a Burundian military general who served as army chief of staff, as well as a senior presidential adviser for internal security and close political ally of President Pierre Nkurunziza.[1] Observers viewed Lt. Gen. Nshimirimana as Nkurunziza's de facto internal security chief as head of the National Intelligence Service.[2] He was born at Nyabiraba in Gishubi Commune, Gitega Province.[2][3]

In 2015, President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to seek a third term, leading to widespread opposition and unrest.[1] Nshimirimana helped to defeat the attempted coup d'état against Nkurunziza in May 2015 and was seen as the mastermind behind the crackdown on opposition protesters.[1][2] Human Rights Watch accused Nshimirimana of becoming "one of the key hard-liners around the president."[1] Nshimirimana's influence increased as the unrest and street protests against Nkurunziza continued in mid-2015.[1] According to Carina Tertsakian of Human Rights Watch, "Despite or perhaps because of his brutal reputation, Adolphe was generally seen as untouchable, with no one in a position of power daring, or even suggesting, holding him to account."[1]

Nshimirimana was killed and three others were seriously injured in a rocket attack on his car at Gare du Nord (North Station) in Bujumbura at 8.30 a.m. on August 2, 2015.[2][4]

On December 13, 2016, Burundi police announced that one of the suspects in Nshimirimana's assassination escaped from prison by killing a prison guard.[5]