The government recently announced that it had ended a fifteen-year rule marked by deadly political violences and the historic withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, died of a heart attack at 55. According to Kenyan media, Nkurunziza ‘s wife, Denise, went to Nairobi 10 days ago to receive treatment for the symptoms of coronavirus. The Kenyan and Burundian health workers did not comment on whether the president was tested for the virus.
The social media statement said the president was admitted to the hospital the next Saturday after he felt unwell. It looked like a better Sunday but to be “very surprising” Monday morning, his health worsened abruptly and he was not recovered.
The actions of the government and the spokesperson not available for comment were not immediately apparent. Although the government said, in Burundi some people were wondering if Nkurunziza died due to COVOD-19.
In spite of the threat, the government of Burundi has played down the virus and held elections and major campaign rallies. A few days before the elections after WHO raised concerns about crowded rallions, authorities have thrown the top officials of the World Health Organization out. 83 cases of virus have been reported in the country. After around 300 000 deaths in the civil war of 1993-2005, Nkurunza took up office in 2005, elected by lawmakers to lead the eastern African nation. He and Ndayishimiye fought as rebels in conflict with each other.
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Data Source: Ministry of Burundi