Pierre Nkurunziza was a Burundian politician who served as the President of Burundi from 2005 until his death in 2020. He was a member of the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) and played a significant role in the country's transition from civil war to a more stable government. Nkurunziza was known for his controversial decision to run for a third term in 2015, which led to widespread protests and political unrest. Nkurunziza's presidency was marked by both economic growth and human rights concerns. His government faced criticism for its crackdown on dissent and opposition, leading to accusations of authoritarianism. Despite these challenges, he remained a prominent figure in Burundi until his sudden death from a heart attack in June 2020.