This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Former Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza Laid to Rest ¶
On June 26, 2020, thousands of mourners gathered in Gitega, the capital city of Burundi, to bid farewell to former President Pierre Nkurunziza, who passed away on June 8, 2020, due to cardiac arrest.
The state funeral, attended by dignitaries including retired Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, was a solemn occasion that saw mourners dressed in white.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta sent a delegation led by Chief Administrative Secretary Ken Obura to represent Kenya at the ceremony.
As a mark of respect, Kenya and Rwanda ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of the late President Nkurunziza.
According to reports, the former president died three weeks after the nation went to the polls, ending his 15-year rule with Burundi's Major General (rtd) Evariste Ndayishimiye being declared the winner.
However, new reports emerged suggesting that the ex-president may have died of COVID-19, contrary to the government's claim of cardiac arrest.
On June 9, 2020, Burundi declared a seven-day mourning period with flags set to fly half-mast.
President Nkurunziza was 55 years old at the time of his demise.
Source: UGC, Twitter
