Zedi Feruzi

Zedi Feruzi (died 23 May 2015) was a Burundian politician from the minor Union for Peace and Development (UPD-Zigamibanga) party. His assassination during the political unrest of 2015, allegedly by supporters of the incumbent government of Pierre Nkurunziza, led to an increased polarisation between government and its political opponents.

Biography

A member of Burundi's small Muslim community, Zedi Feruzi studied at the University of Burundi. He taught History for several years at a Catholic secondary school in Bujumbura before entering the Burundian government in 2006 to work in the Ministry of Justice.[1] His brother served as governor of Muyinga Province.[2] Feruzi subsequently took the leadership of the Union for Peace and Development (UPD-Zigamibanga), a small party supported predominantly by Muslims, in opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza.[3] Feruzi himself was a vocal critic of Nkurunziza's ambition to stand for a third presidential term which sparked a political crisis after it was announced in April 2015.[1]

On 23 May 2015, Feruzi was shot dead, together with his bodyguard, in a drive-by shooting in the Ngagara district of Bujumbura as he was returning home.[3] He was buried in a Muslim cemetery in Bujumbura. Several thousand people attended his funeral.[4] The murder was condemned by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, and the United Nations Security Council.[5] After his death other opposition politicians and activists went into hiding.[4][6] They suspended talks with the Burundian government to protest the killing of Feruzi.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Burundi: qui était l'opposant Zedi Feruzi, assassiné le 23 mai?". Le Monde. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Andreas Mehler; Henning Melber; Klaas Van Walraven (October 2009). Africa Yearbook Volume 5: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara In 2008. BRILL. p. 278. ISBN 90-04-17811-2.
  3. 1 2 Clement Manirabarusha & Njuwa Maina (23 May 2015). "Burundi opposition figure shot dead in capital: activist". Reuters. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Thousands attend funeral for murdered Burundi opposition leader Zedi Feruzi". The Guardian. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "Burundi: UN chief condemns killing of opposition politician as tensions in country rise". United Nations. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "Burundi opposition figures go into hiding following the killing of a politician". Fox News. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Christian Irambona & Don Melvin (24 May 2015). "Opposition suspends talks as Burundi's crisis grows worse". CNN. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
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