The government said Nkurunziza suffered cardiac arrest after being admitted to hospital. His death came shortly after the election of his chosen successor, Évariste Ndayishimiye.

What happened

Nkurunziza had ruled since 2005. His contested pursuit of a third term in 2015 triggered political violence, repression and a large refugee outflow.

Why it mattered

The sudden vacancy created constitutional uncertainty during an already sensitive transition. The Constitutional Court accelerated Ndayishimiye’s inauguration rather than appointing an interim president.

Consequences

The transition preserved continuity within the ruling party while rights organizations continued to call for accountability and political opening.

Sources

• Reuters
• African Union