Burundi president-elect to be sworn in on 26 August

06 Juin 2020

Bujumbura, Burundi, June 6 (Infosplusgabon) - Burundi's president-elect, General Evariste Ndayishimiye, 52, from the pro-government party, will be sworn in on 26 August to begin a seven-year term.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (CNI) proclaimed him winner of the election with 68.70 per cent of the votes, far ahead of his main opponent, Agathon Rwasa, who had 24.19 per cent.

In the legislative election, the presidential party was again proclaimed victorious with 68.02 per cent of the votes, winning 86 of the 120 seats in the new National Assembly.

The Constitutional Court has validated the results of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In addition, Rwasa's challenge of the results for alleged "massive electoral fraud" was dismissed by the Constitutional Court, whose verdict is final.

Meanwhile, 28 of the 35 recognised political parties have supported and warmly congratulated General Ndayishimiye.

The powerful Catholic Church in Burundi has taken a low profile, after denouncing "many irregularities", but has taken no action on the verdict of the Court.

The Anglican Church of Burundi has unreservedly recognised the results of the election while the Islamic Community of Burundi (COMIBU), for its part, has simply said that power emanates from God and has not contested the result.

For the public, they think it that it does not matter who is elected, provided this will restore peace and security, social cohesion, economic development and international cooperation which have been undermined by the political crisis, following the controversial and violent elections in 2015.

These are challenges by which the new Burundian head of state will be judged, according to analysts.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/POL/GABON2020

© Copyright  Infosplusgabon