Presidents of nations in the Eastern African region congratulated Evariste Ndayishimiye on his victory in Burundi’s presidential election last month.
Ndayishimiye, of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), defeated the opposition’s Agathon Rwasa, of the National Council for Liberty, winning 68.72 percent of the vote.
On Thursday, Burundi’s constitutional court approved the election results declaring Ndayishimiye as the president-elect.
Somalia’s President Mohamed Farmaajo was the first to congratulate Ndayishimiye at the end of last month days after the opposition said it would appeal the declaration of the results.
H.E President @M_Farmaajo has expressed his congratulations to President-elect of Burundi H.E Evariste Ndayishimiye following a phone conversation between their Excellencies this evening. Their Excellencies look forward to working together to further 🇸🇴🤝🇧🇮 ties and cooperation.
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) May 31, 2020
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday assured Ndayishimiye of Kenya’s continued support of his country as a true and valued development partner.
1/2 President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of congratulations and best wishes to the President-Elect of the Republic of Burundi Major General (Rtd) Evariste Ndayishimiye. The President also congratulated the ruling CNDD-FDD Party for the emphatic win.
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) June 6, 2020
Tanzania’s John Magufuli pledged to continue to maintain the good bilateral relations between both nations.
Nakupongeza Ndg. Evariste Ndayishimiye kwa kuchaguliwa kuwa Rais wa Burundi. Wananchi wa Burundi wameonesha imani kubwa kwako. Kwa niaba ya Serikali na Watanzania wote naahidi kuendeleza uhusiano mzuri kati yetu. Nawatakia Warundi wote amani na ujenzi bora wa Taifa lenu.
— Dr John Magufuli (@MagufuliJP) June 6, 2020
“Congratulations Hon. Evariste Ndayishimiye for being elected President of Burundi. The people of Burundi have shown great faith in you. On behalf of the Government and all Tanzanians I promise to maintain good relations with us. I wish all the people of peace for the good and for the good of your nation.”
Ndayishimiye, dubbed as Nkurunziza’s “heir”, is now expected to be sworn in for a seven-year term in late August when Nkurunziza’s term ends.
The May 20 election looks likely be Burundi’s first democratic transfer of power in its 58-year-history.
