Pierre Nkurunziza

His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza
Nkurunziza in 2008
9th President of Burundi
In office 26 August 2005 – 8 June 2020
Vice President	See list Martin Nduwimana Yves Sahinguvu Thérence Sinunguruza Bernard Busokoza Joe Dalton Yanse Yagumutse Gaston Sindimwo
Preceded by	Domitien Ndayizeye
Succeeded by	Évariste Ndayishimiye
Personal details
Born	(1964-12-18)18 December 1964 Bujumbura, Burundi
Died	8 June 2020(2020-06-08) (aged 55) Karuzi, Burundi
Resting place	Gitega
Political party	CNDD–FDD
Spouse	Denise Bucumi ​ (m. 1994)​
Children	6
Alma mater	University of Burundi
Signature
Website	Official website

Pierre Nkurunziza (18 December 1964 – 8 June 2020) was a Burundian politician who served as the ninth president of Burundi for almost 15 years from August 2005 until his death in June 2020.

A member of the Hutu ethnic group, Nkurunziza taught physical education before becoming involved in politics during the Burundian Civil War as part of the rebel National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie – Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie, CNDD–FDD) of which he became leader in 2000. The CNDD–FDD became a political party at the end of the Civil War and Nkurunziza was elected president. He held the post controversially for three terms, facing bloody opposition, sparking significant public unrest in 2015.

He announced his intention not to stand for re-election in 2020 and instead ceded power to Évariste Ndayishimiye, whose candidacy he had endorsed. He died on 8 June 2020 shortly before the official end of his term. He was the longest-ruling president in Burundian history.