Tanzania’s Magufuli Declares 7 Days Of Mourning For Fallen Mkapa

BY GAITANO EZRA

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania|SHIFTMEDIA| Tanzania’s former President Benjamin William Mkapa, aged 81, has died, President John Magufuli has announced. President John Pombe Magufuli who has declared Tanzania free from COVID 19 announced seven days of mourning and ordered all flags will be flown at half-mast.

Tanzania’s former President Benjamin Mkapa, who served from 1995 to 2005, died in the early hours of Friday, President John Magufuli said in a statement.

Mkapa, 81, the East African nation’s third president who led several regional peace mediation efforts in office and afterwards, died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Magufuli said, without giving more details.

“I will remember him for his great love for the nation, his piety, hard work and performance in building the economy,” Magfuli said.

“Magufuli asks all Tanzanians to remain calm, patient, and united during this difficult time,” a statement from his office said.

Mkapa also served as an ambassador, minister, and key official of the ruling CCM party, Magufuli said.

Tanzania’s president John Pombe Magufuli through a national broadcast confirmed Thursday, July 24 that Mkapa died at a Dar Es Salaam hospital where he was admitted. The president further declared a seven-day national mourning period during which the national flag will be flown half-mast.

“I call on all Tanzanians to receive the news of his death and to pray for Mzee Mkapa. More information will be released but Mzee Mkapa is no more,” he said in a brief television statement.

Mr. Mkapa led Tanzania from 1995 to 2005 before handing over to Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. He was born on November 12, 1938.

Mkapa is the third president of the East African nation and who led several regional peace mediation efforts in office and afterward

He is well remembered to be part of the team lead by the then UN secretary Koffi Annan which ended the Kenya’s post-election violence after the highly disputed December 27, 2007 elections.

The former leader also mediated talks between the Burundi government and opposition in 2016 that were aimed at ending a long political crisis.