President of Burundi dies after cardiac arrest

AKIPRESS.COM - Outgoing Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Monday, according to a statement posted on the official Burundi government Twitter account, CNN reports.
"The government of the Republic of Burundi present their most sincere condolences to the Burundian people in general and to his afflicted family. Burundi has just lost a dignified son of the country, the President of the Republic, a Supreme Guide of National Patriotism," the statement said.
"He was an example for all Burundians, of someone who loved and respected God, the government of the Republic of Burundi asks the Burundian people to stay calm and serene and to guide his Excellence the President of the Republic with many prayers."
The government of Burundi has declared seven days of mourning and the country's flag will be flown at half-staff in memory of the late president, the statement read.
Nkurunziza was 55 and had served as president of the central African country since 2005, including a controversial third term that critics said violated the country's constitution. Scores died in pre-election violence, as demonstrators rallying against Nkurunziza's candidacy were met with deadly force by police.
Nkurunziza survived a failed coup attempt by an army general in 2015 while the President was in Tanzania.