# Return and Killing of Ntare V (1972)

URL: https://allhistories.com/burundi/timeline/1972-return-and-killing-of-ntare-v
Location: Gitega, Burundi
Themes: main-event

Charles Ndizeye had reigned as Ntare V for only a few months in 1966 before Micombero abolished the monarchy while the young king was abroad. He lived in exile in West Germany and later Uganda, where he came under the protection of President Idi Amin. In Burundi, monarchist sentiment lingered, particularly among the Banyaruguru, whose alleged plot to restore him had been tried in 1971. On 30 March 1972 Ntare flew into Gitega by helicopter from Uganda. Amin later claimed to have received a written guarantee from Micombero that the former king could live as a private citizen, while other accounts allege that he was effectively handed over. Within hours he was placed under house arrest in his former palace, and state radio accused him of preparing a mercenary invasion. Ministers argued over his fate, the Groupe de Bururi pressing for his death. On the night of 29 April, as Hutu rebels attacked in the south, Ntare was shot and stabbed to death in Gitega by a squad of soldiers, reportedly on Micombero's orders. The government claimed he had died when monarchists attacked the palace. The killing of the last mwami, aged 24, ended any prospect of a royal restoration and removed a potential rallying point for opponents of the Hima-dominated regime. At this point in the timeline (30 March 1972), the President of Burundi was Michel Micombero (28 November 1966 – 1 November 1976).

## Why it matters
Ntare V's murder extinguished the Burundian monarchy for good and opened the bloodiest year in the country's history.

Ruler at the Time: [Michel Micombero](https://allhistories.com/burundi/rulers/michel-micombero)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Ntare V of Burundi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ntare_V_of_Burundi)
- [Wikipedia — Ikiza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikiza)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Ntare V](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Ntare+V)
- [Rulers.org — Burundi](https://www.rulers.org/rulb2.html#burundi)
- [Wikipedia — Military Republics (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Burundi)