Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of Burundi who was set to hand over power to his recently elected successor Gen (Rtd) Evariste Ndayishimiye in August, died on Monday.
Nkurunziza succumbed to a heart attack at Karusi Hospital, a statement from Burundi’s government said. Aged 55, Nkurunziza had been in power since 2005.
Nkurunziza had felt unwell after a volleyball match in Ngozi in northern Burundi on Saturday. He was admitted and doctors were convinced he was out on danger by Sunday, but his condition had suddenly worsened later after he suffered a cardiac arrest. Attempts to save his life were futile and the head-of-state was pronounced dead on Monday.
However, some commentators have dismissed the official government position that Nkurunziza succumbed to heart failure. One of such is Uganda’s opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.
“Sudden death, even in best of times raises many questions. These are far less than ordinary times; with wife said to be admitted in Kenya, there are many questions indeed. Our prayers. RIP,” wrote Dr Besigye.
At the time of Nkurunziza’s death, his wife Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza was being treated for an underlying condition at Aga Khan University Hospital, in Nairobi, Kenya, where she had been rushed days earlier. But some claim Bucumi is being treated for Covid19, with other reports alleging that Nkurunziza’s close family members and office staff have also tested positive.
“I’ve been told by people with deep contacts there that: At least 3 people from Nkurunzinza’s office and the president of the senate are unwell. Possibly coronavirus related. That Nkurunziza and his mother have been receiving treatment at the same hospital,” claimed Ugandan-born BBC News Day lead host Alan Kasujja.
“A source tells me ‘… people are dying…’ adding that they’ve lost 6 close family members from what is widely thought to have been coronavirus. All ‘… from prominent families…”
Burundi ignored health warnings on Covid19, hounded out World Health Organisation (WHO) officials and poll observers, and held a presidential election weeks ago. The resultant was the election of Ndayishimiye, but Nkurunziza was set to hold the title of ‘supreme guide to patriotism,’ receive a retirement package of Shs2bn, a lifetime salary equivalent to that of an MP and benefits similar to those enjoyed by a serving vice president for a period of seven years. Government was also expected to build a luxury villa for Nkurunziza at a place of his choice in a space of five years.
Other observers claim that Nkurunziza’s demise could have been a plot to hijack the transition from him to Ndayishimiye, especially in a country where political assassinations and coups have characterised presidential politics. In 2015, Nkurunziza survived a coup attempt. His demise has now fuelled worry that a delicate transition, from the fallen president to his political ally, that was only months away could be hijacked.
Meanwhile, regional leaders have sent their condolences to Burundians and Nkurunziza’s family. A statement from State House Kenya quoted President Uhuru Kenyatta as describing Nkurunziza, whose widow is receiving medical attention in Nairobi, as “an outstanding regional counterpart who served his country with distinction as Head of State and Government, and worked tirelessly for the peace and stability of his country and the Great Lakes Region.” President Kenyatta added that “death had robbed East Africa of a prominent leader whose contribution to the integration and progress of the region shall be sorely missed.”
Tanzania’s Pombe Magufuli said he was “shocked by the death of the outgoing president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza” and would remember him “for his steadfast leadership and his efforts to fight for peace, development and democracy.”
“On behalf of Government and my own behalf I sent our condolences to the Government and People of Burundi for the passing of President Nkurunziza. This also goes to the family of the President,” wrote Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
DR Congo’s leader Felix Tshisekedi said: “It is with great emotion and great consternation that I learned the news of the unexpected death of Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza… On behalf of the Congolese people and in my own name, I present my deepest condolences to the Burundian people, as well as to the biological family of the illustrious disappeared.”
Credit: news.phxfeeds.com
