Burundi’s Nkurunziza sworn in to controversial third term in office

Aug 24, 2015 President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi was recently sworn in for a controversial third term. His third term bid was condemned as unconstitutional by the opposition and provoked months of protests in which not less than 100 people lost their lives.

Nkurunziza was declared winner of the Nation’s presidential election held in July, however both opponents and Western powers have expressed their displeasure, saying that his decision to run violated the constitution and provisions of a peace deal which ended the 1993-2005 civil war between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority.

During the ceremony, president Nkurunziza swore to uphold the constitution and defend the best interest for the country.

“I Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, sworn in faithful to the national charter, to the constitution of the republic of Burundi and to the laws, and commit myself to defend the best interests of the nation and ensure the national unity and peace and social justice and commit myself to combat every ideology and practices of genocide and exclusions, promote and defend individual and collective rights and liberty and safeguard independence of the Republic of Burundi,” said Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziza while taking the oath of office”

There has been a string of killings since his re-election, including that of his top security chief, assassinated in a rocket attack last month.

Nkurunziza has however warned that those who have chosen to attack and fight their country will be stopped by the hand of God.