Kagame attends Nkurunziza’s inauguration

BUJUMBURA - PRESIDENT Paul Kagame was in the Burundian capital Bujumbura yesterday to attend the inauguration ceremony of recently re-elected President, Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza emerged winner of the July elections with 91.6% of votes. In the pledge he made to the Burundian population, President Nkurunziza swore to abide by the Unity Charter, the National Constitution and national solidarity. He added that he would strive to promote peace, human rights and social cohesion and also committed to fight against ideas of genocide and exclusion.The President’s swearing-in was followed by a 21-gun salute. Nkurunziza thanked the people of Burundi who he congratulated for turning up in large numbers to exercise their civic duty and vote. Special thanks were given to South Africa and member states of the East African community, for their role in helping stabilize peace and security in Burundi. He went on to highlight the priorities set out for the next mandate as ; consolidation of peace, security and reconciliation, health and education, infrastructure development; to fight poverty and special attention to be given to the development of the agricultural sector. The President added that his program intends to set up post conflict mechanisms like the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC). Nkurunziza also said in the next five years, he would continue the programme of constructing schools and health structures as well as infrastructure like roads, promotion of urban and rural habitat, and the construction of a railway. After the official ceremonies at the Palais de Congres, Nkurunziza hosted his guests to a private cocktail at Cercle Hippique in the capital Bujumbura. Ends