Tertius Zongo

Infobox_Prime Minister
name = Tertius Zongo


order = Prime Minister of Burkina Faso
president = Blaise Compaoré
deputy =
term_start = 11 June 2007
term_end =
predecessor = Paramanga Ernest Yonli
successor =
birth_date = birth date and age|1957|05|18|df=y
birth_place = Koudougou, Upper Volta
dead =
death_date =
death_place =
spouse =
party = CDP

Tertius Zongo (born 18 May 1957 [http://www.primature.gov.bf/premier_ministre/biographie.php Prime Minister's official site] .] ) has been the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso since June 2007.

Biography

Zongo was born in Koudougou. He has an extensive background in economics and accounting. He became Deputy Minister for Budget and Planning, under the Minister of the Economy, Finances, and Planning, in June 1995. In February 1996 he became Government Spokesman in addition to his role as Deputy Minister,Jean-Pierre Béjot, [http://www.lefaso.net/article.php3?id_article=21341 "Tertius Zongo : faire franchir une nouvelle étape économique et social au Burkina Faso (1/2)"] , "lefaso.net", June 9, 2007 fr icon.] and he remained Government Spokesman until November 2000. His portfolio was changed to that of Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Development, under the Prime Minister, in September 1996; he was subsequently appointed as Minister of Economy and Finance in June 1997. He remained in the latter position until November 2000. On February 14 2002 he became Ambassador to the United States, [ [http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/20339.htm "Order of Precedence and Date of Presentation of Credentials"] , "U.S. Department of State", June 16, 2003.] serving in that post until he was named Prime Minister in June 2007.

Zongo also served as governor for Burkina Faso to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank and the Islamic Bank of Development. In 1992, he worked as director general of Cooperation at the Ministry of Finances and Planning and as chief of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation from 1988 to 1992. He has also been a professor of accounting, business economy and financial analysis at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. Zongo holds a master's degree in economic sciences from the Institute of Enterprises Administration in France.

Following the May 2007 parliamentary election, Zongo was appointed Prime Minister by President Blaise Compaore on June 4 2007. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37181 "Burkina Faso: Tertius Zongo, ancien ministre, nommé Premier ministre"] (Burkina Faso: Tertius Zongo, ex-minister, named Prime Minister), AFP ("Jeuneafrique.com"), June 5, 2007 fr icon.] [ [http://apanews.net/spip.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=34716 "Tertius Zongo appointed new Burkinabe Prime Minister"] , "African Press Agency", June 5, 2007.] His government, composed of 34 members, was appointed on June 10; [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/burkina/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=AFP60607lenouriovuo0 "Le nouveau gouvernement reste dominé par le parti au pouvoir"] (The new government remains dominated by the party in power), AFP ("Jeuneafrique.com"), June 11, 2007 fr icon.] [http://www.primature.gov.bf/actualite/document.php?id1=316 "Décret n° 2007-381/PRES/PM portant composition du Gouvernement."] , government website fr icon.] its 34 members (excluding Zongo himself) included two ministers of state, 26 ministers, and six minister-delegates. Zongo took office as Prime Minister on June 11. [ [http://www.primature.gov.bf/actualite/document.php?id1=318 "Passation de pouvoirs au Premier Ministère"] , government website, June 12, 2007 fr icon.]

References