Nicolas Bwakira

rdf:langString Nicolas Bwakira

rdf:langString Nicolas Bwakira (November 10, 1941 – March 5, 2021) was a Burundian diplomat, international civil servant and pan-africanist. During his long and exemplary career, Bwakira took on senior roles and responsibilities at various institutions, including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the University of South Africa (UNISA), the African Union, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI). Bwakira fought the good fight as a pan-Africanist and international civil servant in the service of Africa and its people, especially for those in Namibia, Angola, Somalia and, more recently, the Lake Chad Basin. The quest for peace was his lifelong passion. From the time of his posting in Angola in 1976, he developed a special connection with southern African countries, among which Namibia. From 1976 to 1990, Namibian refugees and Namibia’s independence featured prominently in his professional career. In his role as Coordinator for the return of Namibian exiles, he was instrumental in negotiating a total blanket amnesty with the apartheid government as a condition for the return of Namibian exiles. Later, as Director for Africa (UNHCR, Geneva), he negotiated a total blanket amnesty with the apartheid government, as a pre-condition of the return of South African exiles members of liberation movements. While a man of great stature, responsibility, and accolade, Bwakira embodied the highest attributes of humility, service, and commitment to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations. For over half a century, Bwakira gave himself and worked for the less fortunate, in the humanitarian field. Over the years, he mentored many selflessly. He was a pan-Africanist who left a mark which will be difficult to erase. Bwakira’s contribution to peace and security will be enshrined in the post-independence diplomatic history of Africa.