Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has died of a heart attack, according to the government.
The government in a statement posted on Twitter, on Tuesday, announced “with great sorrow to Burundians and the international community” the passing of Nkurunziza, 55.
The statement added that the President died at Karusi hospital after suffering a heart attack on June 8. Nkurunziza, who had been ruling the country since 2005, was due to be replaced in August by political ally, Evariste Ndayishimiye, who was declared earlier this month the winner of a May 20 presidential election