Burundi president swears in new EAC minister

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza Wednesday swore in Isabelle Ndahayo as the new East African Community (EAC) Affairs Minister for Burundi.

The ceremony attended by the country's top leaders including lawmakers of both chambers of the Burundian parliament and diplomats accredited in Burundi took place at Kigobe Parliament house in the north of the east African country's capital Bujumbura.

In her oath, Isabelle Ndahayo swore fidelity to the Burundian unity charter, the national constitution and other laws governing the country.

"Before the Burundian president and the parliament, I swear fidelity to the National Unity Charter, the National Constitution and other laws. I commit to dedicate all my strengths to defend interests of the nation, to promote unity and cohesion of Burundian people, to promote peace and social justice in accomplishing my assignments," said Ndahayo.

She also committed to combat genocide ideologies and exclusion as well as all kinds of discrimination.

She also pledged to promote human rights and liberties.

Isabelle Ndahayo was appointed by Burundian President Nkurunziza in a presidential decree on April 14.

Since 2012, she was one of the nine Burundian lawmakers sitting at the East African Legislative Assembly whose headquarters is based in Arusha, Tanzania.

She replaces Leontine Nzeyimana who had served as Burundi's EAC minister since 2012.

The EAC bloc is made up of six countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan. Endit