Burundi’s senate has this Wednesday approved the new Constitutional Court president who was initially appointed by the country’s head of state Evariste Ndayishimiye.
Mr. Valentin Bagorikunda the former state Attorney General under the late Pierre Nkurunziza’s regime is expected to lead the country’s Constitutional Court, Bagorinkunda was the General Director of the National Office of Pension and Retreat and leaving the office of the Attorney General.
According to Burundi’s constitution, the Constitutional Court is a board of 7 judges whose mandate is to rule on constitution related matters and its interpretation.
The Constitutional Court is also mandated to rule on the regularity of legislative elections, referendums and proclaims the result thereof, it also gives an opinion to the president before he declares a state of emergency.
The Constitutional Court is the highest Constitutional Authority in Burundi. Its members are chosen or appointed by the president and approved by the senate for only one term of 6 years.