The Bunyoni government is now complete. Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye appointed 15 ministers on Sunday 28 June, including 13 from the CNDD-FDD and two from civil society.
The Burundian Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye signed Decree No. 100/008 of 28 June 2020 appointing members of the government. All the ministers appointed are from the CNDD-FDD except two from civil society.
The Ministry of Interior, Community Development and Public Security is entrusted to Chief Police Commissioner Gervais Ndirakobuca, alias Ndakugarika. He played a leading role in the bloody crackdown of 2015. He is under European Union (EU) sanctions.
Albert Shingiro holds the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. He was previously Burundi’s ambassador to the United Nations. He has shown himself to be negationist in his remarks at the United Nations.
The Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture goes to Ambassador Ezéchiel Nibigira. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs in the outgoing government of the late Pierre Nkurunziza. He had also served as Burundi’s ambassador to Kenya.
In addition to Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni and Ezéchiel Nibigira, four ministers from the outgoing government remain. This is the case of Dr. Thaddée Ndukumana at the Ministry of Health, Domitien Ndihokubwayo at State Finance, Gaspard Banyankimbona at Education, and Déo-Guide Rurema at the Ministry of Agriculture.
An ethnic Twa woman, Imelde Sabushimike, was appointed Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender. A first in the country, it seems.
The CNL of Agathon Rwasa, the main opposition party, has not received a single crumb of the national cake.
Gérard Rugambwa
