Tanzania’s President ‘John Magufuli’ died on Wednesday from heart complications, as announced by the country’s Vice-President ‘Samia Suluhu Hassan’ in a state televised address to the nation. Hassan has declared 14-day national mourning and also stated that flags would fly at half-mast. President Magufuli was Africa’s most prominent leader and also skeptical of the coronavirus. His death is rumored to have been caused by a coronavirus. For the last two weeks, Magufuli went missing from the public domain. Sources say that he was undergoing treatment for coronavirus in a Kenya hospital. Magufuli’s chief rival ‘Tundu Lissu’ spread this news and that even after his treatment in a Kenya hospital, the President was moved to India in a coma.
Many Speculate Magufuli’s Death because of COVID-19
Also known as Tanzania’s ‘bulldozer’ president, ‘John Pombe Magufuli’ was the country’s first president who died while in office. He was last seen in the public eye on Feb 27, and there were speculations of him contracting the coronavirus. However, on March 12, the officials denied that he had fallen ill. On Friday, Prime Minister ‘Kassim Majaliwa’ said that he had a conversation with Magufuli.
As the Vice-President announced the grim news, he commemorated their brave leader who breathed his last on 17th March 2021 at 6 p.m. and succumbed to heart illness at the ‘Mzena hospital’ in ‘Dar es Salaam. She also said that the burial arrangements for him were being carried out. The opposition leader ‘Zitto Kabwe’ spoke to Vice President Hassan and offered condolences for the departed soul.
John Magufuli Started his second term last year
After the President’s demise, Vice-President Hassan will now be sworn in as the new President of Tanzania and will be serving the remaining of Magufuli’s five-year term in office. The term had begun last year in October, after they elected him for a second-term, after the results following a disputed poll.
President Magufuli Always Denied Coronavirus and Other Health Measures
Magufuli was always cynical about the coronavirus fears and was often seen questioning the efficacy and treatment methods for COVID, unlike the other global leaders. He had declared Tanzania ‘COVID-free’ in June last year. He emphasized people opting for home treatment like herbal-infused steam therapy to counter the virus. He also said to pray in times of the pandemic. However, he questioned the use and effectiveness of masks, and also teased the other countries, especially the neighboring ones who were in a race to deal with their respective coronavirus situations. He mocked them for imposing various health measures to curb the spread of the COVID. Tanzania also refused to purchase any vaccine from the vaccine-producing countries.
He was an action-driven leader, who had a formidable anti-corruption stance in the country. Although he was hailed for this, he was equally criticized for his dictating qualities. He was often accused of restricting certain freedom and breaking down any rising dissent in the country. Once a son of a peasant farmer, Magufuli contributed largely to Tanzania’s development, which is a hard-accepted fact by even his critics.
