The Burundian government announced an “unexpected” death of the Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza in the afternoon of June 9.
President Pierre Nkurunziza,55, is said to have died of a cardiac arrest
Prosper Ntahorwamiye, Spokesperson for the Burundian government said President Pierre Nkurunziza died due to a cardiac arrest in hospital in Karusi Province in the morning of June 8 after feeling discomfort in the night of June 6.
Léonce Ngendakumana, candidate of Sahwanya FRODEBU party in the recent general elections held on May 20 says President Nkurunziza’s death is a huge loss for Burundi and the entire nation.
“He was a personality who resisted to pressure, firm in decision making, proud of himself and who loved prayer and sports,” says Ngendakumana.
He exhorts the Burundian people to remain serene and avoid any form of speculation. “We must consolidate unity and cohesion in these hard times,” he says.
As for Domitien Ndayizeye, former Burundian president and candidate for Kira Burundi coalition in the previous presidential election, he deplores the “unexpected” death of President Pierre Nkurunziza.
“We didn’t expect this tragic disappearance two months before the handover of power to his successor”, says Ndayizeye.
He says President Pierre Nkurunziza succeeded in integrating political affairs after spending many years in the then rebel movement CNDD-FDD and current ruling party. “It was not easy but he achieved many things,” says Ndayizeye.
He also adds that the deceased president has many supporters as the National Assembly has recently ranked him as the “Supreme Guide to Patriotism. He, then, calls on his successor to implement what the late president didn’t succeed to achieve during his 15 years on power.
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