Maj. Gen. Evariste Ndayishimiye, the Burundi president-elect will be sworn-in today, June 18, at the Ingoma Stadium in the administrative capital, Gitega. Ndayishimiye’s swearing-in follows the sudden death of President Pierre Nkurunziza who succumbed to cardiac arrest, according to the Burundian government. The newly elect president was expected to take office in August this year but the ceremony was fast-tracked to fill the leadership vacuum created by the sudden death of President Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza died on June 8, aged 55. The Burundian foreign ministry on Monday sent out invitations to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the country for Ndayishimiyes inauguration. Manasseh Nshuti, the Minister in charge of East African Community (EAC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told The New Times that Rwanda has sent a delegation to Burundi for the ceremony but didn’t divulge names of the delegation. A source from Burundi also said that the public has been asked to arrive early to allow time for coronavirus measures such as hand-washing and temperature checks. Ceremonies are supposed to start at 11:00 am local time.
