As the Covid-19 pandemic rolls on there have been asteady streamof people who publicly dismissed the dangers of the computer virus , only todie of itshortly thereafter . Now the United States President of Burundi has probably link up that list , although formally his cause of demise is presently being shout a heart flak .
Covid-19 arrived later , at least in large numbers , in Africa than most of the rest of the world . Despite the special health infrastructure and the greater logistic challenges of imposing lockdown where poverty is so prevalent , most African nations took advantage of the additional metre , instituting policies designed to define viral spread . So far these seem to have atleast delayedthe impact seen elsewhere .
Burundi has been an exception . President Pierre Nkurunziza not only refused to take drastic action , but he also keep sporting result and other large public gathering open . World Health Organization expertswere expelledfrom the country , while most nations in similar positions are welcome any help they can get .
Unbothered by the spiraling decease toll elsewhere , a representative for Nkurunziza toldBBC Newsin March : “ Burundi is an exception among other nations because it is a commonwealth which founder God first place , a God who defend and protects [ us ] from all ill luck . ”
Only 85 cases of the disease are officially recognise in the country , with one demise , but with a population of 11.8 million and fewer than 400 tests carry the figure are unlikely to be accurate .
President Nkurunziza was pelt along to infirmary last week , and has now been declare bushed . Nkurunziza was 55 and had led his state for 15 old age , with his terminal figure schedule to end in August of this year . So far prescribed channels have only reported the President of the United States as suffer a heart approach , but followingprevious reportsNkurunziza ’s wife had been handle for Covid-19 in Kenya , many are jumping to the conclusion his death was Covid - related .
Kenya ’s Starquotes an nameless Western diplomatist as saying , “ He had coronavirus but no one would say so because the president wreak it down all along . ”
If so , Nkurunziza may have directly infected others , in addition to his policy allowing the disease to spread , having attended a volleyball secret plan earlier on the sidereal day he was rushed to infirmary .
If Nkurunziza ’s buy the farm of Covid-19 he would be the first principal of government to do so .
Covid-19 was not the first exercise of Nkurunziza ’s anti - science views . He justified his harsh crackdowns on LGBTI citizens – being gay is a crime in Burundi , with masses regularly imprisoned – using pseudoscientific claims , winning him supportfrom far - ripe group .
Nkurunziza was originally credited with facilitate his nation recover from a decade of dispute , but within a few years was responsible for increase human rights misuse , with at least 100,000 citizenry fleeing the rural area and many killed . The Burundi government has beeninvestigated for"crimes against humanity , " and prior to his end Nkurunziza was ineffective to allow for his nation as he risk stoppage by the International Criminal Court .
