Burundi’s President-elect and speaker have been admitted in hospital and are receiving treatment.
President-elect Everiste Ndayishimiye was set to take over in August but is currently hospitalized in Burundi.
The Speaker, who is supposed to take over in the absence of the President-elect and the President, is also admitted in Hospital.
This comes as a shock because outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza died of coronavirus a few days ago at the age of 55.
Diplomatic sources in Nairobi and Bujumbura confirmed the death was as a result of covid-19.
Moreover, Burundi’s First Lady Denise Nkurunziza was evacuated to Nairobi for covid-19 treatment on May 27.
To make matters worse, President Pierre Nkurunziza’s mother has also been admitted in hospital. Domtillie Minani is currently receiving treatment.
According to Burundi Government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye, President Nkurunziza’s mother has been hospitalized but not dead, thus debunking the rumours doing rounds on social media.
However, he refused to reveal the nature of sickness, saying “sickness is a private matter,”.
There are unconfirmed reports that President Nkurunziza’s sister and other close family members have been admitted in hospital as well.
They are also suspected to have contracted coronavirus.
READ ALSO: Burundi’s First Lady Denise Nkurunziza returns to Burundi after death of President
First Lady Denise Nkurunziza was admitted at Agha Khan Hospital and received treatment before being discharged.
She went back home on Tuesday evening after the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Although the First Lady recovered, Pierre Nkurunziza’s treatment was not successful and he succumbed to coronavirus.
According to local media, his health deteriorated over the weekend.
Before his death, Nkurunziza was criticized for not putting up measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
He even ordered one World Health Organization (WHO) official and 3 experts to leave Burundi.
The experts were involved in the coordination of the country’s response to coronavirus.
