Source:
https://www.dw.com/fr/de-quoi-est-mort-pierre-nkurunziza/a-53791013
What did Pierre Nkurunziza die from?
As the coronavirus advances in Burundi, some dispute the version that the Burundian president died of a heart attack.
Burundian authorities have long denied the existence of the Covid-19 pandemic in that country and official figures, largely underestimated, now concede around 100 deaths. Added to this is the recent death of President Pierre Nkurunziza, who officially died of a heart attack. Several sources, however, contradict the official position.
Three sources close to political and medical circles in Africa told us that Pierre Nkurunziza died from the coronavirus. A disease that the late president allegedly concealed, even refusing to go to the hospital for treatment.
Listen to the audio 08:46
Alexis Sinduhije: "I honestly think that Nkurunziza was killed by the Covid-19."
"I think that Nkurunziza was killed by the Covid-19. The diseases of the heads of state, especially at home, are the best kept secret, maintains the opponent Alexis Sinduhije, the president of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD).
Manipulations
The Burundian authorities for their part dispute this assertion and speak of manipulation, as a Burundian ambassador posted to a European country explained to us.
Alarming situation
Reports of the Covid-19 pandemic from Burundi are alarming.
Indeed, Pierre Nkurunziza had denied the existence of this disease from its onset. He had declared on each of his official outings that his country was protected by God.
Listen to the audio 03:52
Dr Benjamin Djoudalbaye: "We stick to the official information in our possession"
A posture that does not facilitate the task of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the African Union, according to Dr Benjamin Djoudalbaye, head of political and diplomacy division of health and communication at the center based in Addis Ababa.
Several sources admit that the figures for patients in Burundi are underestimated in the absence of real information.
Pacifique Nininahazwe, the president of the Forum for Consciousness and Development (Focode) is also worried about the evolution of the pandemic in Burundi.
"The coronavirus kills many Burundians, in total silence, in total denial by the Burundian authorities. We would like the death of Nkurunziza to be a moment of start on this serious pandemic in Burundi. And we ask for a real investigation into the reasons for the death of president ", says human rights activist at DW.
A source close to the Burundian government said it feared a serious health situation. The contaminations would multiply. If we do not impose screening, the days ahead will be gloomy in terms of health, fear this source.
As of June 12, 2020, Burundi has recorded 94 cases of infected people, one death and 71 people healed, according to the African Union Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Burundi expelled the WHO representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, and three others from his staff in mid-May. Burundian authorities have accused them of extrapolating the actual number of people affected by Covid-19.