Burundi president fires three ministers amid new protests

Bujumbura, May 19 (IANS/EFE) Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza announced on Monday a partial cabinet reshuffle in addition to firing the ministers of Defence, foreign affairs and trade, replacing them with trusted figures after a failed coup attempt on May 13.

The decision was made public a few hours after thousands of people took to the streets of the capital of Burundi, Bujumbura, in a new set of protests against Nkurunziza's intention to seek an unconstitutional third presidential term, sparked after five days of relative calm in the African country.

The dismissal of defence minister Gen. Pontien Gaciyubwenge could be attributed to his passivity during recent demonstrations, while he will be replaced by Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, a former judge with no known political affiliation who headed the anti-corruption court, becoming the first civilian to head the defence portfolio in the last 50 years.

The now former foreign affairs minister, Laurent Kavakure, will be replaced by Alain Aimee Nyamitwe, while the minister of trade, industry, posts and tourism, Rose Marie Nizigiyimana, will be replaced by Irina Inantore.

Waves of protest flooded Burundi after Nkurunziza announced his run for a third presidential term in the upcoming June elections, while the situation was made worse by the heavy-handed suppression of protesters, resulting in the deaths of 20 people and 12 rebels.

--IANS/EFE

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