Faustin Birindwa

Faustin Birindwa (1943 – 29 April 1999) was a Congolese politician. A technocrat, he was an advisor to Étienne Tshisekedi and was named his Minister of Finance in October 1991,^[1] though Birindwa never took office. He became foreign minister in August 1992. After Tshisekedi was dismissed by Mobutu Sese Seko, Birindwa became Prime Minister on 18 March 1993 as a member of the pro-Mobutu . As a result, he was expelled from the Union for Democracy and Social Progress.^[2]

As Prime Minister, Birindwa attempted to deal with the economic crisis. He announced monetary reform and instituted a new currency in September 1993, with anyone who refused to accept the currency facing imprisonment. Nonetheless, inflation by the end of the year was estimated at 9,000 percent.^[3] He attempted to hold elections but was stifled by supporters of Étienne Tshisekedi, who claimed he was the legitimate prime minister. In 1994, after a decision by the Haut Conseil de la Republique/Parlement du Transition, Birindwa stepped down as prime minister. He was succeeded by Kengo Wa Dondo, whose election in June 1994 was controversial among the opposition.^[2] Birindwa died on 29 April 1999 in Italy of a heart attack.^[4]

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