Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza died of heart attack. He was 55 years and ruled the country for 15 years. In August this year, he was about to hand over the baton to president-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye.
It is rumored that the president was suffering from Covid-19, though there is no official communication to that effect. Incidentally, the first lady was recently flown to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, for medical reasons. Speculations are making the round that she was also afflicted by COVID-19.
The announcement that he would run for a third term in 2015 had plunged the country into chaos. Many questioned about the legality of
a third-term bid. Hundreds of people died in a failed coup.
Pierre Nkurunziza evoked a mixed feeling among the people; he was loved and feared in equal measure . Many felt he lived up to his
promises when he was elected after the civil war. He was feared by his political opponents. When he took office in 2005, at the age of 40, the country was in a dire state. People reposed great hopes on him to rebuild a country, which was devastated by ethnic conflicts and took the lives of thousands of people. Earlier years in the office, he had demonstrated a penchant for taking the country to newer heights. He received seven international awards for his peace building efforts and his love for football was legendary.
The absolute power he wielded corrupted him after a decade in power. His reputation took a nose dive and the unity he had built ollapsed when he organized a referendum to allow him to stand for a third term. Pandemonium erupted. Thousands thronged to the street to protest against the highhandedness. He was accused by many including the UN for oppressing the opposition and killing and abducting opponents. Though he vehemently defended the charge, not many believed him.
Pierre had a very strong spiritual face as well. He and his wife Denise regularly organized prayer gatherings, which used to be a big
hit among his admirers. He attributed all his successes to God including the country’s successful fight against –Covid-19.
Nkurunziza agreed to leave the presidency after the May 2020 elections despite a controversial referendum that mandated him to remain in power till 2034. His ruling CNDD-FDD party selected Ndayishimiye as candidate for the elections and were set to celebrate his swearing in August.
His death has come at a time when lawmakers last year approved legislation on emoluments. The package included a one-time payment of
one billion Burundian francs (estimated to be about US$530,000), among other perquisites that have been extended to him.
The pertinent question is how the former leader will be remembered in Africa; as an young ruler who entered the fray with a lot of ideas and energy to do a lot for his country and later turned to be a victim of excessive power wielded by him? Or a ruler who realized at the end of the day, that nothing short of dictatorship would work in an African country?
