Bujumbura church leader calls for 'sacred union' as Burundi mourns its president

14 Juin 2020

Bujumbura, Burundi, June 14 (Infosplusgabon) - Bishop Gervais Banshimiyubusa of Bujumbura Diocese on  Sunday called the Barundi people to the sacred union on the fifth day of national mourning of the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza.

"Transcend your differences, console each other, help each other, and keep confidence in God who gives and takes life," Bishop Banshimiyubusa urged the people of Burundi in his homily at the Regina Mundi Cathedral of Bujumbura,

Burundi's population is over 65% Christian.

The powerful Catholic Church in Burundi congratulated President-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye, despite noting "many irregularities" around the May 20 election.

The President-elect on Saturday signed the the book of condolences opened for tributes to the late President Nkurunziza, remarking that what happened was God's will.

The government has decreed that the national flag be flown at half-mast to mark the seven-day mourning period which  expires on Monday.

The date of President Nkurunziza's burial has not yet been officially announced.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/MOL/GABON2020

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