Late President Pierre Nkurunziza

By Reuters/NAN

Burundi began an official period of mourning for President Pierre Nkurunziza on Wednesday, a day after the announcement of his death from a heart attack.

Nkurunziza’s death at 55 shocked the impoverished East African nation he had ruled with an iron grip.

Senior government officials, foreign ambassadors and religious leaders lined up wearing face masks and gloves to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus to sign a condolence book opened in his memory at the presidential palace.

Nkurunziza’s wife, Denise Bucumi, appeared to be absent, Air ambulance service AMREF told Reuters they had flown her to Nairobi on May 21 for medical treatment.

But AFP reported she flew back to Bujumbura late Tuesday.

Mrs Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza

AMREF however, declined to confirm widespread reports in Kenyan media that she was in Nairobi for COVID-19 treatment, the lung disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Calls to Willy Nyamitwe, Nkurunziza’s close ally and adviser, seeking comment on Bucumi’s health went unanswered.

There was little public show of mourning on the streets.

“The president leaves behind a country whose economy is in a very bad shape,” said a hospital employee who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals.

Burundi’s economy is mired in poverty and cut off by international donors after the UN documented the widespread rape, torture and murder of political opponents by ruling party activists and state security forces.

It remains unclear whether the powerful cabal of army generals and security chiefs who propped up Nkurunziza during his 15-year rule remain united over the succession.

Nkurunziza had been due to stand down in August, making way for retired general Evariste Ndayishimiye, who won an election last month that the opposition said was marred by violence and rigging.

The constitutional court last week rejected the rigging charges.

Pascal Nyabenda, a civilian who heads the national assembly, is now meant to take over until Ndayishimiye, his former rival, starts his seven-year term at the end of August.

Authorities have not commented on the succession or Nkurunziza’s burial date.

Burundi expelled the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in May amid criticism of the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

It has carried out very few tests and held large rallies during the election period.

Among African leaders, Tanzanian President John Magufuli praised Nkurunziza’s “strong leadership and his efforts to fight for peace, development and democracy”.

But critics regretted he had died without justice being served for rights abuses under his rule.