Pierre Nkurunzuza, Burundi’s rebel president dies of heart attack

President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunzuza has died of a heart attack.

He passed away on July 8 at the age of 55 in a local hospital in Burundi after  ruling the country for 15 years. 

He was due to be replaced in August  by president-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye, who won the May 20 presidential election.

The government has announced seven days of national mourning. Several Burudians seem to receive the demise of Nkurunzua with joy as their posts on social media suggest.