African leaders arrive in Tanzania for Magufuli's funeral

A number of African leaders are expected to join Tanzanians for the funeral of president John Pombe Magufuli.

According to government spokesperson, 10 African leaders had confirmed their attendance.

At the time of filing this report, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia's Edgar Lungu had arrived in the country.

Today's memorial is the second of three to remember the former president whose death was announced last week. It is being held in the capital Dodoma. The first one was held over the weekend in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Magufuli died of heart complications and is due to be buried in his hometown of Chato. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu insists that the president died of coronavirus - despite his repeated denial of the pandemic.

Magufuli's deputy, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was sworn-in as president on March 19. She became the sixth president of the United Republic of Tanzania, the first woman to hold the position.

President @EdgarCLungu has arrived in Dodoma, #Tanzania for the funeral service of late President of #Tanzania John Magufuli. The Head of State is expected to return to #Zambia immediately after the programme pic.twitter.com/KPCFo6AEne

— Mwebantu (@Mwebantu) March 22, 2021

President in Tanzania for Magufuli memorial servicehttps://t.co/dRu566AQcY pic.twitter.com/c0Yk68LAn9

— The Herald Zimbabwe (@HeraldZimbabwe) March 22, 2021

Félix Tshisekedi est arrivé en Tanzanie pour les obsèques du défunt Président John Magufulihttps://t.co/A14doq2Lgp pic.twitter.com/088kIyBbfO

— Radio Okapi (@radiookapi) March 21, 2021

His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa arrives in Dodoma Airport, United Republic of Tanzania for the official State Funeral of the late President of #Tanzania His Excellency Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli taking place at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma. pic.twitter.com/BCK3m189K1

— Presidency | South Africa ???????? (@PresidencyZA) March 22, 2021