Nyabenda to lead Burundi as Iterim President

Speaker of the National Assembly, Pascal Nyabenda

BUJUMBURA, Burundi

Following the sudden death of Burundi president, Pierre Nkurunziza, the country’s constitution mandates the Speaker of the National Assembly to immediately become Interim President in accordance with article 121 of the 2005/2018 constitution.

Pascal Nyabenda (54) who is the current Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly therefore has duly assumed the role and powers of the President and will oversee the transition from this dark period.

Previously, he was President of the CNDD-FDD Parliamentary Group and served as governor of bubanza Province.

Nyabenda was elected to the National Assembly in the June 2015 parliamentary election as a CNDD-FDD candidate, and he was elected by the deputies as President of the National Assembly on 30 July 2015. There was no other candidate for the post, and Nyabenda received 101 votes.

President-elect Gen. Maj. Evariste Ndayishimiye cannot take the oath of office until new senate and national assembly are in place. Senators have not been elected yet. An interim president has to take over.

Burundi government said Nkurunziza at 55 succumbed to cardiac arrest while at Karusi hospital. His wife is also battling Covid-19 at Aga Khan Hospital in Kenya. Their children are also admitted.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s President, Felix Tshisekedi, has expressed grief at the untimely death of Burundi’s leader Pierre Nkurunziza.

 “It is with great emotion and great consternation that I learned the news of the unexpected death of Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, which occurred yesterday, June 8, 2020. On behalf of the Congolese people and in my own name, I present my deepest condolences to the Burundian people, as well as to the biological family of the illustrious disappeared. May his soul rest in peace,”wrote President Tshisekedi.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has also conveyed his condolences to the people of Burundi and the family of late Nkurunziza.

“On behalf of Gov’t and my own behalf I sent our condolences to the Gov’t and People of Burundi for the passing of President Nkurunziza. This also goes to the family of the President. God Bless!” Kagame posted via his personal twitter handle.

Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya termed the outgoing Burundi leader as an outstanding regional counterpart who served his country with distinction as Head of State and Government, and worked tirelessly for the peace and stability of his country and the Great Lakes Region.

“Death had robbed East Africa of a prominent leader whose contribution to the integration and progress of the region shall be sorely missed, and prayed for God's calming comfort as the family, people of Burundi and East Africans mourn their departed leader.” He said.

John Magufuli of Tanzania said that he will remember Nkurunziza for his tireless efforts to united a peaceful and democratic Burundi.

Pierre Nkurunziza died three weeks after the election of his successor. A seven-day national mourning from Wednesday has been decided. - Africa