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Burundi's Nkurunziza Leaves Mixed Legacy, Poor Human Rights Record

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI, KENYA - The sudden death of outgoing Burundian President
   Pierre Nkurunziza Tuesday came as a shock to everyone on the African
   political scene. Nkurunziza ruled Burundi with an iron first for 15
   years, including a controversial third term that saw hundreds killed in
   protests and more than half a million fleeing the country. Some expect
   nothing will change on how the east African nation handles its
   governance.

   Burundi has begun seven days of mourning after the death of President
   Pierre Nkurunziza, who died Monday at a hospital in the town of Karuzi.

   The government said Nkurunziza died from cardiac arrest, but there is
   speculation the cause might have been COVID-19, the disease caused by
   the coronavirus. Local media reported the late president's wife was
   flown to a Nairobi hospital last week after contracting the virus.

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