By Aloys Niyoyita
Bujumbura, Burundi - Burundi's parliament approved the new president's choices for the first and second vice presidents on Monday, as the new government began to take shape.
President Pierre Nkurunziza chose Martin Nduwimana as the first vice president. Nduwimana is a member of the Tutsi-led Union for National Progress, or Uprona, and is the former director of the Central African nation's Centre for Public Health.
Nkurunziza, a member of the majority Hutu community and a former rebel leader, chose Alice Nzomukunda, a member of his Forces for Democracy and Development party to be second vice president.
According to peace deal reached to allow democratic elections in Burundi, Nkurunziza was required to choose a Tutsi as the first vice president, who is responsible for political and administrative issues. The second vice president is responsible for economic and social issues.
Both vice presidents were sworn-in on Monday immediately after receiving approval from parliament, which elected Nkurunziza as president.
Burundi's civil war started in 1993 when Tutsi paratroopers assassinated Burundi's first democratically-elected president, a Hutu. Tutsis have dominated the country's government, military and economy since independence in 1962.
The civil was has left more than 250 000 people dead, mostly civilians. One Hutu rebel group, the National Liberation Forces, has refused to join the new government and will occupy most of Nkurunziza's attention once his government is complete. - Sapa-AP