Ndayishimiye sworn in

Burundi's new President Evariste Ndayishimiye last week took the oath of office and the helm of a troubled nation after the sudden death of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza. He pledged to 'devote all my force to defending the superior interests of the nation and ensure the national unity and cohesion of the Burundian people, peace and social justice'. A report on the News24 site notes that Ndayishimiye was elected in May in a vote disputed by the opposition and his inauguration was sped up after Nkurunziza's death last week. Ndayishimiye had been handpicked by the powerful ruling CNDD-FDD party to run in the 20 May presidential election. He won the vote with 68.7%, and an opposition bid to have the results overturned due to alleged fraud was rejected just days before Nkurunziza's death.