Alice Nzomukunda was born on April 12, 1966 in Bujumbura, Burundi. She is an ethnic Hutu who fought with the Conseil National Pour la Defense de la Democratie-Forces Pour la defense de la Democratie (CNDD-FDD) when it was a rebel movement. She continued to work with the CNDD-FDD after it became a political party in 2002. She is married to Herménégilde Niyonzima.

In 2005, Pierre Nkurunziza was elected President of Burundi. Burundi’s new constitution demands a careful balance in the structure of the government between Hutus and Tutsis. One of his appointees was Alice Nzomukunda, nominated as 2nd Vice President. Nzomukunda was soundly endorsed by both houses of Burundi’s Parlaiment, with full support of the National Assembly and only two negative votes in the Senate (and 46 ayes).

Nzomukunda was an accountant and had served as a legislator in the General Assembly during the transitional government. As 2nd Vice President, Nzomukunda had responsibility for economics and social affairs.

On September 5, 2006, Nzomukunda resigned her position, accusing Burundi’s government of corruption and human rights violations. President Nkurunziza accepted her resignation, but denied her allegations. Nzomukunda said Burundi’s political difficulties, corruption, security problems and human rights issues motivated her resignation. She also accused the government of manufacturing an alleged coup in order to arrest dissidents.

Earlier in September, Nzomukunda’s home was shelled. The rebel National Liberation Force was blamed, but International Herald Tribune notes that only government forces had access to the type of mortar used.

Jason Stearnes of the International Crisis Group applauded Nzomukunda’s resignation, stating, “The really important thing is that Nzomukunda stood up in front of the cameras today and corroborated allegations that so far have only come from the opposition press.”

Nzomukunda left Burundi after her resignation and went to Belgium.