Former President of Burundi Pierre Buyoya has died aged 71, his cousin and a diplomatic source have confirmed to the BBC.
The family source said he died in Paris on Thursday due to Covid-19 complications.
The retired army major had two spells in power for a total of 13 years after overthrowing his predecessors.
In October, he was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by a Burundi court accused of assassinating the country’s first democratically elected President Melchior Ndadaye in 1993 – which sparked the killing of an estimated 300,000 people.
He denied any wrongdoing.
Last month, he resigned from an African Union role as envoy to the Sahel region, saying he wanted to devote more time on clearing his name.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Lyon’s win over Monaco
1 hour -
Guinness Ghana sets the pace at Ghana Beverage Awards with six awards
1 hour -
Burkina Faso suspends BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over killings coverage
2 hours -
Nicole Kidman honoured with AFI Life Achievement Award
2 hours -
Brassier scores winner for Brest as they edge Rennes to secure European football
2 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Akufo-Addo jabs independent candidate; refutes allegations to rig elections
2 hours -
‘What are the real causes of the erratic power outages?’ GUTA demands from ECG
2 hours -
Implementing ESG framework in Ghana’s energy sector for sustainability
3 hours -
CAFCC: Dreams FC exit competition after 3-0 defeat in Kumasi
3 hours -
The detrimental effects of political interference on Ghana’s electricity sustainability
3 hours -
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s appointment as running mate intimidates the NPP – Benjamin Quashie
3 hours -
Black Stars physical trainer dead
3 hours -
Bawumia to kick off nationwide campaign for Election 2024 tomorrow
3 hours -
GUTA charges ECG to provide ‘dumsor’ timetable for businesses to plan
3 hours -
Reason for training professional counsellors is to heal a hurting world – CCP president
5 hours