BURUNDI. Evariste Ndayishimiye was sworn as Burundi’s new president. The ceremony was attended by Burundi citizens and leaders from different nations. While taking the oath of office, he promised to protect the constitution, respect the citizens, and protect the borders of their nation. The ceremony was held at Ingoma stadium Gitega district, even though the nation is affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus. Before the oath, bishops asked him to restore the good relationship they had with neighboring countries.
Some guests and many of the citizens were seen not wearing masks to protect them from the spread of the Coronavirus. Water and soap were provided by the Red Cross for people to wash hands before entering the stadium. Many citizens attended the function to witness the swearing-in ceremony of Evariste Ndayishimiye after the death of their former president Pierre Nkurunziza, who died of a heart attack. President Evariste was declared the winner in the elections held last May 20th, 2020. He was supposed to be sworn in next august as Nkurunziza retired, but the court directed him to be sworn in right after the death of former president Nkurunziza.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye has a heavy task ahead of him to unite the nation after it split with the former leadership. There is a high rate of tribalism in Burundi between the Watuhu tribe and the Watutsi tribe. There is a division between the government and the opposition.
People are waiting to see if he will be able to unite the nation which was a hard task for the former president who reigned for 15 years.
