Burundi's incoming president vows to unite nation isolated over rights abuses

Burundi's President elect Evariste Ndayishimiye takes oath of office during his inauguration ceremony following the sudden death of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza, amid the growing threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the Ingoma stadium in Gitega, Burundi June 18, 2020.[Photo:Reuters]

Burundi’s new president, Evariste Ndayishimiye, promised on Thursday to unite a country that has been cut off by aid donors due to rampant human rights abuses, after he was sworn in early following the sudden death of his predecessor.

Ndayishimiye, 52, a retired army general, won last month’s presidential election as the ruling party’s candidate, defeating the opposition’s Agathon Rwasa and five others. He had been due to take office in August, but the death of Pierre Nkurunziza this month brought the succession forward.