Burundi's president reshuffles Cabinet following coup claims

KIGALI, Rwanda

Burundi's president Thursday reshuffled his Cabinet, dismissing five ministers just days after he warned of a coup plot against him.

In a decree, Evariste Ndayishimiye appointed new faces, including Audace Niyonzima as finance minister, Dieudonne Dukundane as public infrastructure minister, Deo Rusengwamihigo as public service minister, Sanctus Niragira as agriculture minister, and Martin Niteretse as security minister.

The changes in the 15-member Cabinet came a day after Ndayishimiye appointed Security Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca as new prime minister, replacing Alain Guillaume Bunyoni.

The president last week made claims of a possible coup plot against him while speaking at a meeting of government officials.

Ndayishimiye, 54, assumed office in June 2020 after his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza died of what Burundian authorities said was heart failure.