This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza died after suffering a cardiac arrest, the government announced.
According to the government, Nkurunziza was admitted to hospital on Saturday, June 6, 2020, after feeling unwell. His condition initially improved, but he suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday, June 8, 2020, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The president had been helping out at a volleyball match in Ngozi, northern Burundi, on Saturday, June 6, 2020, before being taken ill.
He was airlifted to the hospital, but appeared to be recovering on Sunday, June 7, 2020, and was able to communicate with those around him, the government said.
However, his condition rapidly deteriorated on Monday, June 8, 2020.
The government has announced seven days of national mourning in honor of the late president.
Meanwhile, Nkurunziza's wife, Denise Nkurunziza, has been receiving medical treatment in Kenya at the Aga Khan Hospital after contracting Coronavirus.
She was airlifted to Nairobi from Bujumbura, flying in on an AMREF plane.
COVID-19 Response ¶
Nkurunziza faced global criticism for downplaying and covering up the spread of COVID-19 in his country.
Earlier this month, a top World Health Organization (WHO) representative and three other experts who were coordinating coronavirus response were ordered to leave the country.
Burundi was the only African country that did not stop sporting activities during the COVID-19 period.
The country even held its general elections in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic period, despite advice from health professionals.
Strongman Rule ¶
Nkurunziza was due to step down in August 2020 after 15 years in power, during which he was accused of intimidating opposition and an avalanche of political murders.
In 2015, the announcement that he would run for a third term plunged the country into chaos.
