President Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania’s John Magufuli
Image sourced via Twitter @GovernmentZA
Ramaphosa sends condolences to Tanzania following Magufuli’s death
President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Tanzania’s John Magufuli, who passed away from heart-relaed complications
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania’s John Magufuli
Image sourced via Twitter @GovernmentZA
President Cyril Ramphosa has joined other world leaders in reacting to the death of Tanzania’s President John Magufuli. He passed away at the age of 61. According to Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Magufuli died from a heart condition, in a hospital in the capital Dar es Salaam.
Fourteen days of national mourning have since been declared to mark his passing.
Ramaphosa has spoken to Hassan, during a telephone call, in which he expressed condolences to the nation.
“South Africa is united in grief with the government and people of Tanzania as they go through this difficult moment,” he said.
Magufuli made international headlines for downplaying the severity of COVID-19, encouraging citizens to pray against the pandemic, while refusing to place the country under lockdown and making no plans to acquire vaccines.
Fellow African leaders react to John Magufuli’s passing
Tanzanian President John Magufuli’s death sadly puts to rest the mystery which had surrounded his absence. He had last been seen at the end of February, prompting speculation that he was ill and possibly had COVID-19. In response to the rumours surrounding his supposed ill-health, the government came out guns blazing against the claims, insisting that Magufuli was alive and well.
There has been a flood of reaction from the international community, including fellow African leader, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
“We are saddened by the loss of my brother and friend, President Magufuli. His contribution to his country & to our region will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Tanzania. The people of Rwanda stand with Tanzania during this difficult time,” Kagame said in a tweet.
Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni has also paid tribute to Magufuli.
“I have, with great sadness, learnt of the death of His Excellency John Pombe Magufuli. He was a pragmatic leader who believed in and worked for the economic empowerment of East Africans. We join Tanzania in mourning the passing of a great son of Africa. May his soul rest in peace”
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni
While his Namibian counterpart, Hage Geingob has described him as a patriot and also expressed condolences to the nation.
“Tanzania has lost a Patriot and Namibia lost a Dear Brother. Namibia joins the fraternal people of Tanzania in mourning the death of my Dear Brother, President John Magufuli. During this difficult period, I convey sincere condolences to the family and the people of Tanzania,” he said.
