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Former Rebel Leader Sworn in as Burundi's President
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=EBDB27:3919ACA

Pierre Nkurunziza chosen by parliament last week to lead country as
part of peace process





Pierre Nkurunziza

Burundi's former rebel leader, Pierre Nkurunziza, has been sworn in as
the country's first elected leader, marking the end of 12 years of
civil war.

President Nkurunziza pledged Friday, to honor the peace accord that
brought him to power. Holding Burundi's national flag and
constitution, he swore to stand for peace and fight all ideologies of
ethnic division and genocide.

A number of African leaders attended the ceremony in the capital,
Bujumbura, including the presidents of South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania,
Kenya and Mozambique.

Mr. Nkurunziza was elected last week by parliament, which is dominated
by the former Hutu rebel group he once led - the Forces for the
Defense of Democracy.

As president, Mr. Nkurunziza has vowed to seek peace talks with the
last remaining Hutu rebel group still active in Burundi - the National
Liberation Front.

Some 300,000 people died in during the civil war.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

 


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