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Coronavirus Poses Leadership Test for Africa's Heads of State

Salem Solomon

   As Burundi enters a period of mourning for President Pierre Nkurunziza,
   who died Tuesday, his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic is
   being scrutinized.

   Nkurunziza's official cause of death was listed as "cardiac arrest."
   However, [1]many have speculated that he contracted COVID-19 following
   reports that his wife was flown to Kenya to be treated for the disease.

   As the virus spread across Africa, Nkurunziza resisted calls for a
   lockdown. He kept businesses open, allowed mass gatherings, such as
   sporting events, and held an election on May 20. He expelled a WHO
   representative and three public health experts coordinating the virus
   response, and his administration insisted the country would be spared
   because of its Christian faith.

References

   1. https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2020/06/analysis-is-outgoing-burundi-predident-the-first-african-heavy-weight-to-succumb-to-coronavirus.html

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