Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza has died of heart attack, the government has confirmed.

Inside Nkurunziza’s retirement package

Lawmakers last year approved legislation on emoluments for outgoing president Pierre Nkurunziza.

Nkurunziza agreed to leave the presidency after the May 2020 elections despite a controversial referendum that allowed him to remain in power till 2034.

Jean Claude Karerwa Ndenzako, a spokesman for the presidency, tweeted that the Cabinet took the decision to make President Pierre Nkurunziza “Paramount Leader, Champion of Patriotism and Leadership Core.”

Lofty titles have been given to Nkurunziza before.