Africa mourns the death of the Tanzanian president
Tanzanian President John Magufuli, 61, died Wednesday, triggering mourning and condolence messages from African capitals.
Earlier Wednesday, in a televised statement, Tanzania’s Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan said: “With great sadness, I announce that our brave leader, President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, passed away today at 18 local time. ”
Magufuli was admitted to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar Es Salaam on March 6, where he was treated for chronic atrial fibrillation, a heart disease he had suffered for more than 10 years, Hassan said.
Magufuli’s death came after two weeks of speculation about his health due to suspicion of contracting COVID-19.
He had declared COVID-19 defeated in his country, even when the World Health Organization called for government cooperation.
However, he had recently acknowledged that the virus was still being transmitted when the vice-president of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar allegedly died of COVID-19.
The African Union
The President of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Thursday praised the President of the late Tanzania as a “committed pan-Africanist leader”.
In a Facebook message, Faki said the African Union family condoled “the early passing of HE President John Pombe Magafuli”, adding: “Africa has lost a champion of regional cooperation in the East African region and a committed pan-Africanist leader.”
Burundi
Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye expressed grief over Magufuli’s death and described the late president as a “true Pan-Africanist”.
“I am terribly saddened to hear that my friend and brother HE John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic #Tanzania, has passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to the government and people of Tanzania and his family for the loss of a great leader, a true pan-Africanist, ”Ndayishimiye tweeted on Thursday.
South Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to the Tanzanian Vice President to express “deepest sympathy”.
“I spoke to Vice President’s Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan to express our deepest sympathy as they go through this difficult moment,” Ramaphosa tweeted on Thursday.
Kenya
In consolation with Magufuli’s death, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also announced that flags of Kenya and all Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad will be flown at half-mast from March 18 until the funeral of the Tanzanian president.
“As a testament to the high esteem in which the people of Kenya hold President John Pombe Magufuli, the Republic of Kenya will observe a seven-day national mourning,” Kenyatta said on Thursday.
“As a symbol of Kenya’s enduring respect for Magufuli as well as Kenya’s solemn solidarity with the nation and people of the United Republic of Tanzania,” the flag of Kenya and its diplomatic missions will be flown at half mast, “he added.
Somalia
Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, meanwhile, sent his condolences to Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan and former First Lady Mama Janet Magufuli.
President Farmajo “mourns with the government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania after the sad loss of the fifth President of the Republic’s HE President John Pombe Magufuli. HE Farmaajo sends his condolences to Vice President HE @ SuluhuSamia & First Lady Mama Janet Magufuli, ”tweeted Farmajo’s office Villa Somalia.
Ethiopia
A similar condolence message was also sent by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
My sincere condolences to the people and government of #Tanzania following the passing of President John Pombe Magufuli. May he rest in peace, ”he tweeted.
Rwanda
Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Thursday declared national mourning “in solidarity with the government and people of Tanzania” following the death of President John Magufuli.
He also announced that national flags at home and at diplomatic missions abroad will fly on the half mast.
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