KAMPALA – Maj. Gen. Evariste Ndayishimiye has on Thursday afternoon been sworn in as the new president of Burundi for a seven-year term in office, renewable once.
The swearing-in ceremony before Burundi’s Constitutional Court took place at the Ingoma Stadium in the administrative capital Gitega.
It followed the ruling of the same court which upheld Ndayishimiye as the winner of the presidential election held on May 20.
Ndayishimiye, 52, of the ruling party the CNDD-FDD (National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy) won last month’s election with 68.70% of the votes after defeating six other candidates.
He was initially scheduled to take oath on Aug. 20 when his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza’s term was supposed to end.
But the Constitutional Court last week ordered the president-elect to take office immediately after the death of Nkurunziza.
Nkurunziza died on June 8 due to coronavirus according to medics at the hospital.
Ndayishimiye in a victory speech had appealed to Burundian refugees scattered in different countries to return home to build their country.
He also urged Burundian people to safeguard peace and security and to respect each other in their diversity.
Ndayishimiye also called on the international community to support Burundi.
President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Maj Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye upon swearing-in as Burundi’s new president.
“Congratulations to His Excellency Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Evariste Ndayishimye, who was sworn-in today as President of Burundi, following the massive victory of the CNDD-FDD party in elections held on May 20th, 2020,” President Museveni wrote adding that:
“The resounding victory was a clear manifestation of the level of trust and confidence the people of Burundi have in the new President and his party. I also thank the people of Burundi for being peaceful during and after the election”.
“On my own behalf and that of Ugandans, I wish you a successful tenure in office as well as the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Burundi. We also look to working closely with you to strengthen the bilateral ties of our two countries.”
