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Roundup: Burundi's president swears in country's vice-presidents

Xinhua, August 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza Thursday swore in Gaston Sindimwo and Joseph Butore as the country's first vice-president and second vice-president in a ceremony attended by the country's senior leaders and some diplomats.

In their oath, they swore "fidelity"to the Unity Charter and the national constitution as well as other laws.

They also vowed to fight against any "genocide and exclusion ideology" and to promote human rights and the country's independence gains.

Before the inauguration of the two vice-presidents, Nkurunziza had signed a decree where he appointed Gaston Sindimwo and Joseph Butore respectively as the east African country's first vice-president and second vice-president.

Earlier in the afternoon, the two chambers of the east African country's parliament had, in separate sessions, approved the two candidacies that were to be respectively the country's first vice-president and the second vice-president.

Gaston Sindimwo, the new First Vice-President, is the Secretary-General of the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) and was the Deputy-Private Secretary at the Office of the First Vice-President and Joseph Butore.

The new Second Vice-President, is a member of the ruling party.

Both candidacies were earlier sent by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza who was himself sworn in on Thursday morning.

Nkurunziza was re-elected for a third term in a controversial presidential poll on July 21 -- an election that was boycotted by the opposition.

A civil society figure who participated in the political dialogue to end the political stalemate told Xinhua that the country might go into a "deeper" crisis.

"Even if the inauguration took place, there are issues that might worsen the situation which is already precarious," said Jean Marie Vianney Gatogato, who participated in the political dialogue that was suspended before the presidential election that was held on July 21.

The chairman of the Coalition for a Participatory Opposition (COPA) who also participated in the July 21 presidential poll told Xinhua that the inauguration of Nkurunziza is big step.

COPA Chairman Jean de Dieu Mutabazi called for the formation of an inclusive government.

"As we requested and as we were recommended, we hope that the government to be formed will be inclusive," COPA Chairman Jean de Dieu Mutabazi said.

After taking his oath, Nkurunziza gave a speech where he warned politicians to stop stirring up violence.

"All of you (politicians) are appealed to respect human rights. You have to avoid anything that would disrupt peace and security. One day, people killing their brothers will be brought to trial and punished by national or international tribunals -- whether they are abroad or in our country," warned President Nkurunziza.

During the last two weeks, the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) has reported that more than 20 people were killed in Burundi.

Some foreign delegates notably from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, China and Russia attended the inauguration ceremony of the Burundian president and that of the country's vice-presidents. Endit