This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 26, 2020, thousands of Burundians gathered along the road to Gitega, the country's capital, to pay their respects to former president Pierre Nkurunziza, who had passed away earlier that month.
Nkurunziza, who ruled Burundi for nearly 15 years, died at the age of 55, according to the government, due to 'heart failure.'
However, rumors have been circulating that he may have contracted the coronavirus, as his wife was flown to Nairobi for treatment just two weeks before his death.
The funeral procession, which was escorted under heavy security, was met with a sea of citizens dressed in white, as per the authorities' request.
The stadium in Gitega, where the funeral ceremony was held, was packed with citizens from across the country, all dressed in white.
Nkurunziza's death has sparked fears and rumors about the cause of his passing, with many speculating that he may have contracted the coronavirus.
His legacy is marred by a deeply isolated country in political and economic turmoil, with his 2015 run for a third term in office sparking protests and a failed coup, resulting in at least 1,200 deaths and 400,000 fleeing the country.
Nkurunziza will be buried at a monument in Gitega, which was recently built at the site of a structure intended to honor victims of Burundi's various crises over the years.
