Photo of the week-Prosecutor General’s Office : Rose Nkorerimana, the first woman to break the glass ceiling

Burundi has just reached a historic milestone : for the first time since independence in 1962, a woman has been appointed to the prestigious position of Prosecutor General. This is Rose Nkorerimana, a renowned magistrate from the district of Shombo (formerly Gihogazi) in Gitega province, in central Burundi.

Her appointment, proposed by the President of the Republic and approved by the Senate presided over by Gervais Ndirakobuca, will be formalized after presidential countersignature.

An exemplary career leading to the Supreme Court

Before taking the helm of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Rose Nkorerimana was President of the Judicial Chamber of the Supreme Court. Her rise reflects a career marked by rigor, competence, and extensive experience within the Burundian judiciary.

This promotion is seen as a strong signal to strengthen the female representation in the highest echelons of justice.

Léonard Manirakiza’s fall

Rose Nkorerimana replaces Léonard Manirakiza, who was dismissed from his post in a sensitive context. A former prosecutor at the Muramvya First Instance Court in the center of the country, he had been propelled to the head of the Supreme Court’s judicial chamber by the late President Pierre Nkurunziza following the controversial case of the pupils who defaced the president’s photograph.

Appointed Attorney General of the Republic approximately two years ago by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, his dismissal is reportedly linked, according to several sources, to the arrest of two military officers who returned from a mission in the DRC with several hundred kilograms of gold. Quickly relieved of his duties by a higher authority, this episode reportedly weakened his position.

Notably, he was replaced while participating in the 116th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), held at the Palais Wilson in Geneva from November 17 to December 5. This body is examining, among other things, the reports submitted by Burundi and five other countries.

A major overhaul in the judicial sector

Ms. Nkorerimana’s appointment comes amid a profound restructuring of the Burundian judicial system. Nearly 99% of senior officials in the courts—presidents of the courts of appeal, attorneys general attached to these courts, presidents of the regional courts, and prosecutors—have been replaced.

This massive turnover reflects the government’s desire to inject new dynamism into the functioning of the justice system.

Photo : Rose Nkorerimana, the first woman to hold the position of Attorney General of the Republic in Burundi (DR/SOS Médias Burundi)