afrol News, 16 November - Yves Sahinguvu, 58, has been voted by the lawmakers as the 1st Vice President of Burundi. Sahinguvu replaced Martin Nduwimana who had resigned from the post.

Like his predecessor, the new Vice President is also a key member of the Tutsi-dominated UPRONA political party.

He is an eye specialist and a business magnate who has stakes in insurance and oil companies.

Nduwimana was appointed 1st Vice President in 2005 after legislative and presidential elections, which were won by the CNDD-FDD party, were held. Few months back, UPRONA disowned him accusing him of being a "traitor" who no longer represented the party's interest.

Nduwimana thought his resignation will help ease the constitutional and political crisis that paralysed government institutions.

Some politicians raised alarms against marginalisation of the minority and opposition figures in his new cabinet line up, a clear violation of the constitution. Consequently, this resulted to boycott by opposition lawmakers and without parliamentary majority, the government could get the laws passed.

Having struck a deal with opposition parties last September, Burundian leader said he had found a solution to a crisis in a country that emerged from a 13-year civil war claimed over 250,000 lives.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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