Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, 55, died Monday of a "heart attack". He was preparing to leave power after 15 years at the head of the country marked by the impoverishment of its population.
“The government of the Republic of Burundi announces with very great sadness to the Burundians and to the international community the unexpected death of his Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, occurred at the Cinquantenaire hospital in Karuzi (center-east ), following a heart attack, "the presidency announced on Tuesday in a statement.
URGENT: The Government of the Republic of Burundi announces with great sadness the unexpected death of His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, occurred at the Cinquantenaire Hospital in Karusi following a cardiac arrest on June 8, 2020. pic.twitter.com/PP46kKzAM5
- Burundi Government (@BurundiGov) June 9, 2020His health deteriorated on Sunday
The text details the last days of President Nkurunziza: after attending a volleyball match on Saturday June 6, he felt unwell on the night of 6 to 7 and "quickly went to the hospital". "On Sunday, his health improved and he spoke with the people who were next to him," the statement said. "To everyone's surprise", in the morning "Monday June 8, 2020, his state of health suddenly changed with a cardiac arrest".
"Despite intense, continuous and adapted treatment, the medical team was unable to recover the patient," added the press release, adding that the multidisciplinary medical team tried for "several hours" to revive him.
His term was to end in August
It was unknown Tuesday whether the cardiac arrest to which the president succumbed was the result of a Covid-19 infection. His wife had recently been admitted to Nairobi for treatment, sources in Bujumbura claiming that she had contracted the new coronavirus. Pierre Nkurunziza and his pastor wife had repeatedly downplayed the severity of the new coronavirus pandemic.
In its press release, the government announced seven days of national mourning starting Tuesday. The country's flags will be flown at half-mast for the same period. Since 2005, Nkurunziza has presided over the destinies of Burundi, one of the poorest countries on the planet. On May 20, his successor and designated dolphin, Evariste Ndayishimiye, was elected to replace him as head of state, Pierre Nkurunziza having decided not to stand for re-election. His mandate was to end in August.
Burundi is ranked among the three poorest countries in the world according to the World Bank, which estimates that 75% of the population lives below the poverty line, against 65% when Pierre Nkurunziza came to power in 2005.
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