Burundi leader names govt

2010-08-30 11:32

Bujumbura - Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has named a new government following legislative elections that his ruling party swept amid an opposition boycott, his spokesperson said on Monday.

Out of 21 ministers in the new line-up, 10 are retained from the previous government. Fourteen ministers are from Nkurunziza's CNDD-FDD, three from the main Tutsi party UPRONA and one from a party allied to the ruling regime.

Two military officers also made it to the cabinet alongside the former supreme court head.

The government make-up reflects the constitutional requirement of a 60-40 share between the majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, said government spokesperson Leonidas Hatungimana.

Nkurunziza also at the weekend appointed two vice presidents after they were approved by parliament.

The president was re-elected virtually unopposed in the June elections boycotted by the main opposition groups over accusations that his regime rigged the local polls in May.

Three opposition leaders have since local polls in May gone into hiding fearing for their lives.

- AFP