Uganda’s president Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has mourned Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli hours after Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced her boss’ death.
Magufuli passed on in Dar es Salaam.
VP Suluhu Hassan said Magufuli succumbed to heart complications.
Museveni said Magufuli was “a pragmatic leader.”
“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,” said Museveni.
“We join Tanzania in mourning the passing of a great son of Africa. May his soul rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, Kenya’s president announced a week of mourning in the following proclamation:
My Fellow Citizens and to the People of East African Community,
I have learnt with profound sorrow and immense sadness of the untimely passing of my Dear Brother, His Excellency John
Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
On behalf of the Government and People of Kenya, I convey our sincere condolences to the First Lady of Tanzania, H.E. Mrs.
Janet Magufuli, their children and his entire family; and affirm our deep solidarity with the Government and People of Tanzania during this challenging time. Tanzania remains in our thoughts and prayers.
Africa and the world has, indeed, lost an illustrious leader; whose vision, passion, and immense leadership propelled the
Nation of Tanzania forward, and also steered the East African Community to closer integration and cooperation.
On the continental stage, the Late President Magufuli was a champion of pan-Africanism.
In the passing on of President Magufuli, I have lost a friend, a colleague, and a visionary ally; whom I worked with closely,
particularly on our commitment to forge lasting bonds between Kenya and Tanzania.
IN HONOUR OF THE LIFE of His Excellency the Late President John Pombe Magufuli; and in recognition of his strong legacy; and in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters in the United Republic of Tanzania, the wider EAC and the whole of Africa
who are in deep mourning following the loss of an outstanding son of Africa:
THEREFORE, I, UHURU KENYATTA, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya, do hereby
ORDER and DIRECT:
THAT in testimony of the high esteem in which the People of Kenya hold President John Pombe Magufuli, the Republic of Kenya will observe a period of Seven (7) days of national mourning; and
II. THAT as a symbol of our enduring respect for the fallen President, as well as our solemn solidarity with the
Nation and People of the United Republic of Tanzania; the Flag of the East African Community and the Flag
of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at all Public Buildings and Public Grounds, and wherever
else throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya and at all of Kenya’s Diplomatic Missions abroad; from forenoon on this 18th March, 2021 until sunset on the day of the Funeral.
May the Soul of President John Magufuli rest in eternal peace.
