EAC Hails Burundi Polls; Urges Politicians to Work for Common Prosperity

The East African Community (EAC) has welcomed Burundi’s presidential election and urged the political class to work together for a prosperous country.

“EAC takes note of the provisional results announced by CENI and congratulates the victory of the CNDD-FDD Party,” said the regional body’s Secretary General, Liberat Mfumukeko.

He said EAC “greatly appreciated the maturity of the candidates and invites them to join their forces and wisdom to offer lasting peace and prosperity to the Burundian people.”

Evariste Ndayishimiye, the candidate of Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FD, won May 20’s presidential election with 68.7% of the vote while opposition CNL’s Agathon Rwasa managed 24.1%.

He will take over from Pierre Nkurunziza who has been in power since 2005.

Following a referendum, the country adopted a new constitution in June 2018 based on the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi.

Among other things, the new Constitution established a seven-year presidential term starting with this election.

The country also has a National Assembly and a Senate whose members are elected for five years. Senate elections will be held in July 2020.

The opposition accused the ruling party of orchestrating violence against its supporters.

Rwasa said his supporters were routinely harassed, arrested and detained by security forces.

But authorities say they had to act against lawlessness to create a conducive atmosphere for the election.

Ndayishimiye said strengthening national security, infrastructure development and fostering regional integration would be his government’s priorities.

Burundi’s Ambassador to Kenya, Bosco Barege Tweeted: “Warmest congratulation to CNDD-FDD and General Neva (Ndayishimiye) on the deserved winning of the May 20, 2020 triple elections in Burundi with the funding of Burundians without any external hidden hand. This is the true sign of true independence.”

Burundi’s electoral commission (CENI) announced on Monday that CNDD-FDD, swept 72 out of 100 MP seats in the polls.

CENI said CNL came second with 27 posts. UPRONA trailed with only 1 seat.

Ndayishimiye will be sworn-in as Burundi’s next President in August, 2020.