Nkurunziza plays football amid protests in Burundi
Photos of Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza playing football in Bujumbura despite protests in his country have sparked an online discussion.
The photos that were shared by BBC Africa showed the sporty African leader in his element as a footballer, a hobby they said is captured in his biography.
“The president’s passion for football is well known. He even has his own team, called Hallelujah FC,” stated BBC.
Comments made below the photos expressed mixed reactions with some people terming it as a display of arrogance while others said it was a necessary distraction.
Konibah Abizi Emmanuel commented, “Football reduce stress and pressure issues of life. No matter what do what you can.”
Oluwayemi Samuel Ayobami said, “No empathy whatsoever from this man!”
Chinonso Buchy commented, “A good sportsman keep on sporting and cool the pressure.”
Korbena Afedzie said, “Only in Africa…shame.”
Last week, Burundi was rocked by a failed coup when the President had travelled to Tanzania to attend a regional summit.
The President went back into the country and days later the coup leaders were arrested.
During his first public appearance President Nkurunziza claimed the country was facing Al-Shabaab terror threat and evaded discussing the coup attempt.
President Nkurunziza has since sacked his defence and foreign ministers and postponed upcoming parliamentary elections for a week to June 2.