Burundi’s constitutional court on Friday, June 12th, 2020 ruled that the country’s newly-elected leader, Evariste Ndayishimiye, be rapidly sworn in following the sudden death of President Pierre Nkurunziza earlier this week.

Nkurunziza’s death on Monday, aged 55, came after the May election of his successor Ndayishimiye, who was meant to be inaugurated in August.

The unusual situation raised questions over how the transition would be managed, as the constitution calls for the speaker of the national assembly to step in if the president dies.

However, in its judgment the court wrote that an interim period “is not necessary”.

The court ruled that the country must

proceed, as soon as possible, with the swearing-in of the president-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye.

Nkurunziza, a devout evangelical who believed he was chosen by God to lead Burundi, leaves behind a deeply isolated country in political and economic turmoil after his divisive 15-year rule.

His 2015 run for a third term in office sparked protests and a failed coup, with violence leaving at least 1,200 dead while some 400,000 fled the country.

A climate of fear marked by a crackdown on the opposition and media settled over Burundi, while a personality cult grew around Nkurunziza which saw the ruling party name him a “visionary” and “supreme guide for patriotism.”

United Nations human rights investigators have said the period since 2015 has been marked by likely crimes against humanity committed by state forces, citing extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, torture and sexual violence.

Nkurunziza’s decision not to run in the May 20 election shocked many, as it came after the constitution was changed to allow him to do so.

– Handpicked successor –
His successor Ndayishimiye, 52, was handpicked by the ruling party’s core group of powerful generals, and won the election with 68.7 percent. Opposition claims of widespread fraud were dismissed by the constitutional court.

While he is also a general, Ndayishimiye is not a regime hardliner and Nkurunziza was expected to continue to play a significant role, possibly limiting the independence of his successor who is reputed to be more tolerant and open.

In principle, it is an opportunity for him to free himself, in the sense that we would have expected Nkurunziza to play an important role in the future,

said Richard Moncrieff, an expert with the International Crisis Group (ICG).

However, some observers have said he may run into trouble with the generals if he tries to introduce reforms or improve the human rights situation in the country.

After the news of Nkurunziza’s death Ndayishimiye vowed to

continue the high-quality work that he has done for our country.

A source in the French presidency said the country would work with its European partners and

extend a hand to the new Burundian president.

For the first time, we will have a leader who is not just forging ahead regardless of the consequences, wrapped up in divine faith.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.