The late President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza was expected to hand over power in August. Speaking to media, the Burundi government spokesperson Prosper Ntahorwamiye said they are still “consulting the constitutional court” on the succession of Pirre Nkurunziza.
He said the court is “studying the power vacancy” and “will take a few days”.
The country is still facing uncertainty over who is going to take over the presidency after Nkurunziza died on Monday aged 55 after suffering cardiac arrest.
Nkurunziza was in preparation for the power hand over to president-elect, Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye in August. However, the constitution says if the head of state dies, then the speaker of the national assembly, currently Pascal Nyabenda, should succeed him.
Meanwhile, the presidency has denied reports that the mother of the late president has also died. Ntahorwamiye said Nkurunziza’s mother “is sick but not dead”, adding that the nature of her illness was a private matter. This came as there were speculations on social media on her state.
The country’s first lady returned home on Tuesday evening from Kenya where she had been hospitalised.
