President John Magufuli of Tanzania, a prominent Covid-19 sceptic in Africa whose populist rule often cast his East African country in a harsh international spotlight, has died at the age of 61.
Mr Magufuli’s death was announced on Wednesday by Vice President Samia Suluhu, who said the president died of heart failure.
“Our beloved president passed on at 6 pm this evening,” said Mr Suluhu on national television.
“All flags will be flown at half-mast for 14 days. It is sad news. The president has had this illness for the past 10 years.”
The vice president said that Mr Magufuli died at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, the Indian Ocean port that is Tanzania’s largest city.
Tanzania s President John Magufuli dies aged 61 | Messenger Newspapers
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President John Magufuli of Tanzania Dies at 61
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2nd LD Writethru: Tanzanian President John Magufuli dies aged 61 - World News
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