Rwanda mourns Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza

13 Juin 2020

Kigali, Rwanda, June 13 (Infosplusgabon) - Rwandan President Paul Kagame Saturday ordered that all national flags of Rwanda and the East African Community (EAC) be flown at half-mast in solidarity with neighboring Burundi mourning President Pierre Nkurunziza who died earlier this week after heart attack.

The statement, issued by the prime minister's office here, quoted a directive from President Kagame as saying that Rwanda was “in solidarity with the government and people of our neighboring sister Republic of Burundi during this time of grief due to the demise of His Excellency President Pierre Nkurunziza”.

The national flag and that of the East African community on Rwandan territory will fly at half-mast from Saturday, 13 June, 2020, until the burial, the statement added.

“We continue to grieve with the People of Burundi and the family of His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza during this difficult time,” it said.

The official announcement comes after Rwandan President Paul Kagame had earlier this week sent a message to the people and government of Burundi following the sudden death of President Nkurunziza.

President Nkurunziza died after a cardiac arrest on Monday, medical and government sources said.

The Burundi government said the 55-year-old politician  was admitted after he fell ill on Saturday.

Taking to twitter, Kagame said: "On behalf of Gov't and my own behalf I send our condolences to the Gov't and People of Burundi for the passing of President Nkurunziza."

"This also goes to the family of the President. God Bless," the Rwandan leader said.

Nkurunziza ruled Burundi for 15 years and was due to step down in August after his chosen heir, Evariste Ndayishimiye, was elected president on 20 May with an overwhelming majority.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/MOL/GABON2020

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