Jean Miruho
Jean Miruho was a Congolese politician who served as President of Kivu Province. Biography Jean Miruho was born in Kabare, Belgian Congo. He was a Catholic and worked as a cashier at the Banque du Congo Belge. He was a member of the Centre du Regroupement Africain (CEREA), a political party based in Kivu Province, and organised a chapter of the organisation in Goma and the surrounding area. The party later divided and he became leader of a moderate splinter faction based in North Kivu. In January 1960 he assisted an association of Baptist Congolese in their unsuccessful attempt to gain official recognition from the Belgian colonial authorities. In the May 1960 elections Miruho won a seat in the Kivu Provincial Assembly, representing the Kabare constituency. His CEREA faction secured an additional number of seats in the assembly, and he subsequently organised a coalition with independents and smaller parties. The assembly then elected him President of Kivu Province. His government was formed on 30 June. Upon assuming office, Miruho encouraged the local population to welcome and co-operate with the Europeans residing in the region "on the condition that they do not get involved in politics". On 5 July 1960 men