A top court in Burundi has ruled that President-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye be sworn in as soon as possible following the unexpected demise of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza.
The Constitutional Court said the post of President of the Republic of Burundi is vacant and country cannot operate with a power vacuum.
“There is no need to name an interim president as the election to choose a president has already been held,” the court noted.
Reuters reports that the constitution provides for the Speaker of Parliament to take over when a President dies.
However, the Cabinet moved to court to seek direction in the matter.
Burundian lawyer Janvier Bigirimana told the Washington Post that there had been uncertainty over whether the Parliament Speaker should hold forte or the President-elect should be sworn in.
The Constitutional Court said the post of President of the Republic of Burundi is vacant and country cannot operate with a power vacuum.
“There is no need to name an interim president as the election to choose a president has already been held,” the court noted.
Reuters reports that the constitution provides for the Speaker of Parliament to take over when a President dies.
However, the Cabinet moved to court to seek direction in the matter.
Burundian lawyer Janvier Bigirimana told the Washington Post that there had been uncertainty over whether the Parliament Speaker should hold forte or the President-elect should be sworn in.
