The Burundian national flag flies at half mast outside the State House building following the death of Nkurunziza
By
Our Correspondent, Bujumbura BURUNDI
As Burundians prepare for the
funeral of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza, the issue of succession at the
top of the state is agitating the minds.
For the main opposition
party, the National Council for Freedom (CNL), respect for the constitution
will inevitably lead to a new election between one and three months.
In shock after the sudden
death of the president, in power for 15 years, Burundians wonder what the
future holds for their country, marked by deadly political crises and a long
civil war.
The opposition leader’s
spokesman said the constitution is clear and must be followed to the letter.The CNL leader, Agathon Rwasa
The CNL leader, Agathon
Rwasa points to a vacancy in power, agreeing on the interim provided by the
President of the National Assembly, Pascal Nyabenda.
The main opposition party,
which came second in the triple ballot on May 20, said that depending on the
country's fundamental law, the head of parliament has between one and three
months to organize new elections.
The government has yet to comment on the transition of power.
But, consistent sources indicate
that within the presidential majority, one wishes to advance the investiture of
Evariste Ndayishimiye, president elected after the vote of May 20, whose
results are disputed by the opposition.
Burundian authorities
announced on Tuesday the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza, who died Monday
following a "heart attack".
However, following the death, there’s a lot of
uncertainty in the country whose recent history constitutes civil war, the
exodus of refugees, and political upheaval.
The
government convened a ministerial meeting to deliberate “the management of the
situation following the sudden demise” of Nkurunziza under the First
Vice-President, Gaston Sindimwo.
“The cabinet ministers and two vice presidents have already talked to the constitutional court to declare the presidency vacant,” said a President advisor, Augustin Nsanze
Under the
constitution, Pascal Nyabenda, the Speaker of the National Assembly should take
over in case a sitting President passes away.
The country finds itself in a quagmire since the newly elected President Evariste Ndayishimiye awaits his swearing-in during August.
“The government seems to lean towards a swift
swearing-in of the president-elect. However, events continue changing following
intense discussions they may finally decide to uphold the constitution with an
interim led by the speaker,” stated the presidential advisor.
Another high-ranking member of the party confirmed this proposal. A ‘crisis committee’ will decide the path forward. - Africa
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