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Mr
Nkurunziza won a disputed third term by a landslide (Image by BurundiEcho)
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Burundi's President
Pierre Nkurunziza has been sworn in for a controversial third term in office. The ceremony came as a
surprise, as Mr Nkurunziza had been expected to be sworn in next week. At least
100 people have died in protests since Mr Nkurunziza announced in April he
would run for a third term. The government accuses the opposition, which says
the third term is illegal, of causing the violence.
In
his inauguration speech, Mr Nkurunziza promised to end the violence within two
months.
The
African Union, European Union and the US State Department have all expressed concerns
that July's election was not free and fair. The
UN observer mission said the election was not free and credible and was held
"in an environment of profound mistrust" between political rivals.
The
African Union did not send observers - the first time it has taken such a
stance against a member state.
BBC report continues:
No
foreign head of state was present at Burundian leader Pierre Nkurunziza's inauguration
for a controversial third term, and only South Africa was represented at
ministerial level, AFP news agency reports.
Burundi's
government says a number of countries apologized for not sending their
delegates, because of the change of date.
Several
African countries, as well as China and Russia, sent their ambassadors, it
adds.
The
ambassadors of the US and European Union nations did not attend, but were
represented by lower ranking officials, AFP reports.
The
UN observer mission said last month's presidential election was not free and
credible and was held "in an environment of profound mistrust"
between political rivals.
The African Union did not
send observers - the first time it has taken such a stance against a member
state.
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