Burundi President dies aged 55

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza, has died after suffering a cardiac arrest, the government announced on Tuesday. 

Pierre Nkurunziza was admitted to hospital on Saturday after feeling unwell, his condition improved but on Monday he had a cardiac arrest and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, officials say.

Burundian government official statement on Twitter said;

The Government of the Republic of Burundi announces with great sadness the unexpected death of His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi... following heart failure on June 8, 2020.

The man believed he was chosen by God to led the people of Burundi when he ascended to the presidency in 2005 when he was nominated and eventually selected by the country’s legislative branch.

In 2015 he controversially won the elections which led the country into nationwide crisis, that saw at least 1000 people dead , the country’s security forces carried a sustained crackdown on the media and opposition figures.

After 15 years in power, Mr Nkurunziza was due to step down in August.