The Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza, died Monday at the age of 55 following a "cardiac arrest", the Burundian presidency announced on Tuesday 9 June in a press release.

"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, following a cardiac arrest, "the statement said.

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, 2020

Cardiac arrest 

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 6-7 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 great surprise", in the morning "on Monday June 8, 2020, his state of health suddenly changed with a cardiac arrest".

"Despite intense, continuous and appropriate 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.

Evariste Ndayishimiye invested in August

Pierre Nkurunziza has presided over the destinies of Burundi, one of the poorest countries on the planet, since 2005. 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.

His candidacy for a very controversial third term in 2015 had plunged his country into a major political crisis that left more than 1,200 dead and forced 400,000 Burundians into exile.

Nicolas Germain: "The death of Pierre Nkurunziza changes the political situation in Burundi"

The presidential election of May 20 was held despite the epidemic of new coronavirus: thousands of supporters had flocked to campaign rallies and on election day voters crowded together in rows waiting, without any real preventive measure.

Seven-day national mourning

It was unknown Tuesday whether the cardiac arrest to which Pierre Nkurunziza died was the result of a Covid-19 infection. Pierre Nkurunziza's wife had recently been admitted to Nairobi for treatment, some sources in Bujumbura claiming that she had contracted the new coronavirus.

In its press release, the government announced seven days of national mourning starting Tuesday. Elected in May, the future president Évariste Ndayishimiye must be invested in August. 

With AFP

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