Africa News of Friday, 24 July 2020
Source: dw.com
He was the country's third president after independence from Britain in 1962. Ruling the East African country for two terms from 1995 to 2005, he'll be remembered for working to end the conflict in the Great Lakes.
Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa has died age 81 at a hospital in Tanzania's former capital Dar es Salaam, the government announced Friday.
"I'm saddened by the death of the third president of Tanzania and this is a big loss for us as a country," President John Magufuli said in a short televised speech.
"I will remember him for his love of country ... hard work and effort in building the economy. The nation has lost a strong figure," he added in a tweet.
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