The Government of Burundi on Tuesday announced the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza, who it said succumbed to a cardiac arrest Monday evening. According to a statement signed by Prosper Ntahorwamiye, the government spokesperson, Nkurunziza died at Karusi Fiftieth Anniversary Hospital in central Burundi where he had been hospitalised since June 6. According to the statement, Nkurunziza, 55, was on Saturday in his home town of Ngozi, where he watched a volleyball game before he was taken ill on the same night. His condition then improved but on Monday he had a cardiac arrest and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, according to the statement. The Burundian government has announced a seven-day national mourning period for Nkurunziza, who had led the country since 2005. Nkurunziza was set to step down following the election of Maj. Gen. Evariste Ndayishimiye on May 20. Like Nkurunziza, Gen Ndayishimiye comes from CNDD/FDD political party.
