Burundi’s new President Evariste Ndayishimiye said his government is ready to engage in dialogue as he officially began his mandate on Thursday.
The the 52-year-old former army general said so at his official swearing in ceremony in Gitega, where he hailed his predecessor’s tenure.
Ndayishimiye said former president Pierre Nkurunziza had “strengthened Burundi’s independence and sovereignty.”
“The doors of dialogue are open,” AFP quotes him.
But he warned against using the opportunity to create chaos in the East African country.
“”Those who have always used dialogue as a pretext to disturb the country — come back, we are ready to talk.”
Ndayishimiye was initially scheduled to assume office in August but it happened sooner following the sudden death of Nkurunziza.
The new leader was by the ruling CNDD-FDD party to replace the former president, and is not expected to veer far off from his predecessor’s policies.
Ndayishimiye condemned people who he says soiled Burundi’s name from outside its borders after fleeing.
“Those who fled Burundi and went to complain to the colonisers, what did you gain?” he asked.
His swearing in came after he took the oath of office in front of the seven judges of the constitutional court.
A 21-gun salute sounded before he inspected the guard and walked around a stadium packed with citizens dressed in identical patterned outfits.
