Person in history

Jean-Baptiste Bagaza

Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, Burundian politician (born 1946)

Life at a glance

Died
2016 · May 4

Their story

Who they were

Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, Burundian politician (born 1946)

Early life

Bagaza was born in 1946 in Burundi. He came from the Tutsi ethnic group and received military training.

Path and career

Bagaza seized power in a military coup in 1976, deposing President Michel Micombero. He ruled as head of state and later president for eleven years, implementing nationalist policies and attempting to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church.

He was overthrown in a coup in 1987 by Pierre Buyoya and went into exile. Bagaza lived abroad for decades before his death in 2016.

Why this date

Jean-Baptiste Bagaza appears on our May 4 calendar for 2016 as a death entry.

Sources

Cite this page

“Jean-Baptiste Bagaza”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/people/jean-baptiste-bagaza, accessed October 26, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about Jean-Baptiste Bagaza

When did Jean-Baptiste Bagaza die?

May 4 2016.

Who else was born on this day?

The date page lists everyone we hold for that calendar day.

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