Defying protests, Burundi's president begins third term

The re-elected president was sworn in for a five-year term Thursday in Bujumbura, the country’s capital.

"Senior military officials knew nothing about the ceremony until this morning but were asked to appear today in full parade uniform," DW's correspondent Amida Issa in Bujumbura said.

This surprise ceremony was announced at the last minute for security reasons, according to a member of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party. The country’s media was only informed early on Thursday.

No foreign leaders were present at the event, including the European and American ambassadors, but were represented by lower-ranking officials.

The event marks the beginning of 51-year-old Nkurunziza's third term, after being nominated by parliament in 2005 and elected by voters in 2010 and again on July 21.

The country’s constitution limits presidential terms to two mandates. The politician and his supporters argued that this limitation didn’t apply to his first time in office because he had been nominated by the parliament in 2005, instead of being voted by the people.

Presidential advisor Willy Nyamitwe announced Nkurunziza’s inauguration via Twitter: "Elected president HE Pierre Nkurunziza will be sworn in at the Palais de Congres on August 20."

A controversial legacy

The opposition, civil society and the Catholic Church have condemned Nkurunziza’s interpretation of the clause. The constitution was drafted as part of a ceasefire after nearly two decades of civil war that left 300,000 dead.

The opposition said that the swearing in wouldn’t make Nkurunziza’s election more "legitimate."

Authorities put down an attempted military coup in May and quashed six weeks of demonstrations against the third term with a brutal crackdown that led hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

The election results weren't recognized by the United Nations. The security situation continues to deteriorate with targeted killings and attacks against police around the country.

A looming power struggle stokes fears of a return of violence in the country whose population of 10.4 million survives amidst the legacy of two genocides and remains traumatized from the civil war.

kb/jar (AFP, AP)