President-elect cleared to take office

Burundi's Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that newly-elected leader Evariste Ndayishimiye be quickly sworn in following the sudden death of President Pierre Nkurunziza last week. A report on the News24 site notes that Ndayishimiye 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 in the event of the death of a President. However, the court ruled that the process 'is not necessary'. Nkurunziza's decision not to run in the May election shocked many, as it came after the Constitution was changed to allow him to do so. Ndayishimiye was hand-picked by the ruling party's core group of powerful generals, and won the election with 68.7%.

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