Ruling party wins Burundi presidential election, Evariste Ndayishimiye set to take over from Nkurunziza

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 25 May, 2020 19:11 | < 1 min read
Evariste Ndayishimiye
Evariste Ndayishimiye was a rebel leader alongside Pierre Nkurunziza. PHOTO | AFP
Evariste Ndayishimiye was a rebel leader alongside Pierre Nkurunziza. PHOTO | AFP

The authorities in Burundi say the ruling party’s candidate has been elected as the new president.

The electoral commission said Evariste Ndayishimiye won almost 70 percent of the vote in last week’s poll.

The retired general will take over from President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has led Burundi since 2005.

The former leader is widely expected to maintain a lot of influence.

The main opposition party has expressed doubt about the official results, which suggest its candidate, Agathon Rwasa, only gained a quarter of the votes - mostly in its traditional stronghold in the west.