Louis Rwagasore (1932–1961) served as Prime Minister of Burundi from 28 September 1961 until his assassination two weeks later. Born in Ruanda-Urundi, a Belgian-administered territory, Rwagasore attended university in Belgium. After he returned to Burundi in the mid-1950s, he founded a series of cooperatives to economically empower Burundians. He then became a leading figure of a nationalist political party, the Union for National Progress (UPRONA). He pushed for national independence and unity, and the institution of a constitutional monarchy. The Belgian administration placed Rwagasore under house arrest in 1960 during municipal elections. International pressure led the administration to back down, and the following year UPRONA won an overwhelming majority in the legislative elections. As a result, Rwagasore became the prime minister, but was soon assassinated at the direction of leaders of a rival political party with the probable support of the Belgian Resident. Well-known in Burundi, Rwagasore remains relatively unknown internationally. (Full article...)