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. "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. Clement Manirabarusha & Njuwa Maina (23 May 2015). "Burundi opposition figure shot dead in capital: activist". Reuters. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  4. "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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