Thousands of Burundians on Friday lined the road to the capital Gitega as the body of former president Pierre Nkurunziza was escorted under heavy security for a state funeral after his sudden death earlier this month.
Nkurunziza, who was president for 15 years, died at the aged 55 of what the government said was “heart failure.”
The funeral proper took place at the Ingoma stadium in the capital Gitega, the same venue where the new president was sworn in last week.
The funeral ceremonies began with the paying of last respects from his wife, Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza, his children and close associates in an intimate gathering at the hospital in the central city of Karuzi where he died on June 8.
Nkurunziza died shortly after an election won by successor Evariste Ndayishimiye, who was sworn in last week.
