Outgoing Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza died of a heart attack on Monday, according to official statements. He had been hospitalized for two days after experiencing health complications.
The announcement follows his wife's hospitalization in Nairobi ten days earlier. Denise Nkurunziza was airlifted to the Aga Khan Hospital under the coordination of Amref Health Africa, a source confirmed to media outlets.
Nkurunziza, who governed Burundi since 2005, initially secured a third term in 2015. He later announced in 2018 that he would not pursue re-election, paving the way for a transition to retired general Evariste Ndayishimiye scheduled for August.
