Rwandan President Paul Kagame Paul Kagame has paid tribute to his late Tanzanian counterpart Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, who died of cardiac arrest on Wednesday.
Kagame stressed that Magufuli’s contribution to his country and the region will always be remembered.
Taking on Twitter, the Rwandan leader joined other African and global leaders mourning the passing of their Tanzanian peer announced on Wednesday, March 18, after he succumbed to heart complications.
“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,” President Kagame said.
“My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Tanzania. The people of Rwanda stand with Tanzania during this difficult time,” he added.
Tanzanian Vice President Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan, announced that President Magufuli died of a heart condition on March 17, 2021, at about 6pm at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam where he was admitted on March 14.
Other East African Community leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also the chairperson of the regional, in his message of condolence eulogised Magufuli as a friend and a pan-Africanist.
“Magufuli was a champion of Pan-Africanism. I have lost a friend and an ally. Africa and the world have lost a leader who steered the EAC and the continent,” he said.
Seven days of national mourning have been declared in Kenya.
Magufuli, a father of five, was a devout Catholic who has, among others, pledged to continue the fight against corruption and wasteful spending of public money.
His death comes five months after he was sworn-in for a second five-year term that was expected to end in 2025.
CU/as/APA