9 November 2007
Bujumbura — Dr Yves Sahinguvu was sworn on 09 November. In front of the Burundian population, the sole holder of the national sovereignty, I, Yves Sahinguvu, First Vice-President of the Republic, swear integrity to the National Unity Charter, the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi and to the respect of the law.
I commit all my efforts to defend the superior interests of the Nation, and to insure the unity and the cohesion of Burundians, social peace and justice. I commit myself to combat all ideology and practice of genocide and exclusion, to promote and to defend the individual and collective rights of each citizen, to safeguard the integrity and the independence of Burundi.â-š The Constitutional Court received his oath.
These ceremonies lasted for only 10 minutes. The appointment of Dr Yves Sahinguvu has raised hopes in many opposition parties, but the journey that he is taking is full of pitfalls.
After the sworn-in and to everyone's surprise neither the head of State, Pierre Nkurunziza, nor the Second Vice-President, Gabriel Ntisezerana dared to congratulate him auguring difficult relations with his close collaborators, but also sending good signals that he is not mere puppet to support the moves of the ruling party.
Dr Sahinguvu was chosen and approved by the parliament yesterday. This ophthalmologist replaced Dr Martin Nduwimana who was forced to resign in the post of the First Vice-President of the Republic, to put an end to the political stalemate that has been hitting major institutions of the country.
This political blockage culminated in July when the President of the Republic after consultations with his close collaborators appointed a cabinet that was automatically labelled â-šunconstitutional. Dr Sahinguvu refused his appointment as the health minister on the ground that he was chosen by his party, Uprona.
Dr Sahinguvu is a businessman who can fluently speak Lingala, Swahili, French and English in addition to his mother tongue.
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