Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa Is Dead

Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa is dead. Mkapa has died at the age of 81. He died at a Dar es Salaam Hospital where he had been admitted.

The current President John Pombe Magufuli announced the demise of Mzee Mkapa (as he is popularly known) through the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).

“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,” John Pombe Magufuli said in a brief television statement.

Nimesikitishwa na kifo cha Mzee wetu Benjamin Mkapa (Rais Mstaafu wa Awamu ya 3). Nitamkumbuka kwa mapenzi yake makubwa kwa Taifa, ucha Mungu, uchapakazi na utendaji wake katika kujenga uchumi. Hakika Taifa limepoteza nguzo imara. Mungu aiweke roho yake mahali pema peponi, Amina.

— Dr John Magufuli (@MagufuliJP) July 23, 2020

At the same time, President Magufuli has declared a seven-day mourning period. During this time, all flags in the country will be flown at half-mast to remember Mzee Mkapa.

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

The former president of Tanzania is known for leading various peace mediation efforts in the East African region, including taking part in Kenya’s post-election conciliation exercise in 2008 where he enabled a coalition government between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.

He was part of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which ended the post-election violence after the highly disputed December 27, 2007 elections.

A former journalist, Mkapa was both the president and the chairman of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi. He was born on November 12, 1938, in Ndanda, Tanzania, and is survived by Children: 3 three children and his spouse Anna Mkapa.

More to follow.

READ: Tanzania Set To Hold Presidential, Local Elections On October 28