This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On July 3, 2020, thousands of Burundians lined the road to the capital Gitega to pay their respects to former president Pierre Nkurunziza, who died on June 8 at the age of 55.
According to the government, Nkurunziza died of 'heart failure', but speculation is rife that he may have contracted the coronavirus, given that his wife had been flown to Nairobi for treatment just two weeks prior.
The funeral ceremonies began with an intimate gathering at the hospital in Karuzi, where Nkurunziza died, attended by his wife, Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza, his children, and close family members.
Friday was declared a national holiday for the funeral, with school children and citizens lining the roads to catch a glimpse of the funeral convoy.
