Tanzania’s President,John Magufuli has died aged 61, the country’s Vice President has announced.
In an address to the nation on state TV, the Vice, Samia Suluhu Hassan said that Mr Magufuli died from heart complications at a hospital in Dar es Salaam.
“It is with deep regret that I inform you that today… we lost our brave leader, the President of the Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli.”
Tanzania VP, Samia Suluhu Hassan
She said there would be 14 days of national mourning and flags would fly at half-mast.
President Magufuli had not been;seen;in public for more than two weeks, and rumours had;been circulating about his health.
Last week, opposition politicians said that he had contracted Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed. Opposition leader, Tundu Lissu especially, told reporters that his sources had;told him Magufuli was being;treated;in hospital for coronavirus in Kenya.
However, last week, Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa insisted that the President was “healthy and working hard”. He blamed the rumours of the President’s ill-health on “hateful” Tanzanians living abroad.
Zitto Kabwe
opposition leader, Zitto Kabwe said he had spoken to Hassan to offer condolences for Magufuli’s death.
“This is an unprecedented moment for our United Republic of Tanzania. And one that will undoubtedly move us all in very personal ways. My immediate thoughts are with Mama Janeth, and the whole family of our deceased President.”
Zitto Kabwe
According to Tanzania’s Constitution, Hassan, 61, should assume the Presidency for the remainder of the five-year term that Magufuli began serving last year, after winning a second term.
Zitto also offered “blessings, courage and patience” for Hassan. “My fellow Tanzanians, let us continue to pray for patience and understanding. This is a moment to show our maturity and integrity as a nation.”
COVID Skepticism magufuli
President Magufuli was one of Africa’s most prominent coronavirus sceptics. He downplayed the severity of COVID-19, urging Tanzanians to pray, use steam inhalation and embrace local remedies to protect themselves from the respiratory disease.
He also stopped the country from releasing COVID infection numbers in April 2020. This was weeks before Magufuli declared in June that the country was coronavirus-free due to divine intervention.
In June 2020, he claimed his country had eradicated coronavirus “by the grace of God.” Earlier this year, Magufuli also questioned the safety of foreign Covid-19 vaccines and said he has no plan to procure any shots for his country.
“Vaccinations are dangerous. If white people were able to come up with vaccinations, a vaccination for AIDS would have been found, a vaccination for tuberculosis could have eliminated it by now; a Malaria vaccine; a vaccination for cancer.”
John Magufuli
He also refused to wear a face-mask or take lockdown measures. But, Magufuli conceded the virus was still circulating a week before he was last seen,. This was after the Vice President of semi-autonomous Zanzibar died of COVID-19.
Nicknamed the “Bulldozer”, Magufuli was elected in 2015 on promises to tackle corruption and boost infrastructure development. Rights groups, however, accused his government of stifling democracy and cracking down on the media.
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