Burundi: Tough presidency awaits Evariste Ndayishimiye

In this edition, Burundi held an election to replace President Pierre Kurunziza, who has been in power for fifteen years. Controversy has overshadowed the voting process with opposition politicians saying their supporters have been subject to intimidation. Also, Zimbabwe has received medical help from China to treat coronavirus patients. We'll bring you a report from our correspondents.

Burundi's newly elected president is taking over a divided country from former strongman Pierre Nkurunziza. Can Evariste Ndayishimiye succeed where his predecessor failed?

Burundi's ruling party candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye has been declared winner of the presidential election with 68.72 percent of the vote. His main rival says he will appeal the result. Also, it's back to school for children in Ivory Coast, but many are worried that the reopening of schools will increase the spread of the coronavirus. Finally, citizens stranded in France have been able to return to Burkina Faso. The country is taking advantage of repatriation flights organised by the French government.

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Burundi's outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza has died at the age of 55. The government says he died of a heart attack on Monday, but as people criticise the authorities' approach to and reporting of Covid-19 cases, rumours are already circulating that Nkurunziza was himself a victim of the disease. He had been due to step down from 15 years in power following last month's election of his hand-picked successor, Evariste Ndayishimiye. At least 1,200 people were killed and around 400,000 fled unrest sparked by Nkurunziza's controversial but ultimately successful 2015 bid for a third term.

In an attempt to fill the power vacuum after Pierre Nkurunziza's death, Burundi's top constitutional court has ruled that the president-elect should take power immediately. Also, the UN and NGOs such as Reporters Without Borders support the plight of imprisoned Cameroonian journalists, pressuring Paul Biya's government after authorities revealed that journalist Samuel Wazizi had died in custody. And we get reactions from Kinshasa over whether or not a statue of Belgium's colonial-era King Leopold II should be removed, following a similar debate in Belgium itself.

Evariste Ndayishimiye questions the need to oppose the government, as he ... Burundi's new President Evariste Ndayishimiye warns opposition parties ... up the plate of the national symbol during his swearing-in ceremony.https://codex.wordpress.org/Excerpt

Burundi's turnabout in handling the COVID-19 pandemic raised expectations of change in the country. But hopes were dampened by President Evariste Ndayishimiye's appointment of controversial figures to the government.

A human rights report voiced disappointment at Burundi's new leader, who took power in June. The report cites political appointees accused of human rights abuses and lawlessness among Evariste Ndayishimiye's supporters.

In our show "The New Normal", which examines the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond, FRANCE 24 brings you four reports from our correspondents around the globe.

As President Evariste Ndayishimiye marks one year in office, Burundi tries to move out of regional isolation. But human rights abuses and a repressive regime are still a cause for concern.

At least 38 inmates were killed and dozens more injured in a fire on Tuesday at the main prison in Burundi's capital Gitega, the country's vice president said. Twelve died of asphyxia as they tried to flee the burning buildings and 26 died of severe injuries, Vice President Prosper Bazombanza told reporters at the Gitega Prison after the fire. Video Credit: Sos Médias Burundi