- 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.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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