Zedi Feruzi Explained

Zedi Feruzi
Death Place:Ngagara district, Bujumbura, Burundi
Death Cause:Assassination
Nationality:Burundian
Occupation:Politician
Party:Union for Peace and Development (UPD-Zigamibanga)
Alma Mater:University of Burundi

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, 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] In 2011, after the National Assembly of Burundi approved changed to laws governing political parties Feruzi withdrew the UPD-Zigamibanga from the ADC–Ikibiri. He was subsequently suspended by the executive committee of his own party.[4] Feruzi 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.[5] The murder was condemned by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, and the United Nations Security Council.[6] After his death other opposition politicians and activists went into hiding.[5] [7] They suspended talks with the Burundian government to protest the killing of Feruzi.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Burundi: qui était l'opposant Zedi Feruzi, assassiné le 23 mai?. Le Monde. 25 May 2015. 19 April 2016.
  2. Book: Andreas Mehler. Henning Melber. Klaas Van Walraven. Africa Yearbook Volume 5: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara In 2008. October 2009. BRILL. 978-90-04-17811-3. 278.
  3. Web site: Clement Manirabarusha & Njuwa Maina . Burundi opposition figure shot dead in capital: activist . Reuters . 23 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  4. Book: Kalu . K.A. . Kieh . G.K. . Agbor . A.A. . Iloh . E. . Kallon . E.V.N. . Lumumba-Kasongo . T. . Nagar . D. . Onditi . F. . Vhumbunu . C.H. . Peacebuilding in Africa: The Post-Conflict State and Its Multidimensional Crises . Lexington Books . 2021 . 978-1-7936-4313-1 . 2023-11-15 . 45.
  5. Web site: Thousands attend funeral for murdered Burundi opposition leader Zedi Feruzi . . 25 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  6. Web site: Burundi: UN chief condemns killing of opposition politician as tensions in country rise . . 24 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  7. Web site: Burundi opposition figures go into hiding following the killing of a politician . Fox News . 24 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  8. Web site: Christian Irambona & Don Melvin . Opposition suspends talks as Burundi's crisis grows worse . CNN . 24 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.

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