The Burundian Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved five new governors to lead the country’s newly created provinces, after sweeping reforms in the national administrative structure. Each nominee received full support from senators, with 100% of the votes cast in their favor.
Among those confirmed is Denise Ndaruhekeye, the only woman elected in this round. She will lead the new province of Buhumuza, which brings together the former provinces of Cankuzo, Ruyigi, and Muyinga. A native of Butihinda in Muyinga, Ndaruhekeye previously served as the assistant governor in her home province.
Aloys Ndayikengurukiye has been approved governor of Bujumbura Province, covering what used to be Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura, Bubanza, and Cibitoke. Originally from Mubimbi, in the former Bujumbura Rural, Ndayikengurukiye was most recently at the helm of SOSUMO, the state-run sugar production company.
Parfait Mboninyibuka, a Member of Parliament representing Rutana under the ruling CNDD-FDD party, will now govern Burunga Province. This new province merges the territories of Rumonge, Bururi, Makamba, and Rutana. Mboninyibuka brings political experience to the role, having represented one of the regions he will now oversee.
Victor Segasago, outgoing governor of Kirundo province, will lead Butanyerera Province, which unites the former provinces of Kirundo, Ngozi, and Kayanza. He hails from Kirundo,
Liboire Bigirimana will head Gitega Province, now encompassing Gitega, Karusi, Mwaro, and Muramvya provinces. A native of Mwaro, Bigirimana previously managed the national school feeding program aimed at supporting primary school children across the country.
These confirmations are part of a broader administrative overhaul that reduced the number of provinces in Burundi from 18 to 5. The reform, which was adopted in 2023, also reorganizes the country into 42 communes, 447 zones, and 3,036 hills. Authorities say the move is designed to streamline governance and improve public service delivery.
The nominees were subsequently approved by President Evariste Ndayishimiye through a presidential decree, issued shortly after receiving the green light from the Burundian Senate.
This article has been updated to include the president’s approval of nominees after senate backing
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