Tanzania’s former president Benjamin Mkapa passes on

Former Tanzanian president Benjamin William Mkapa is dead, President John Magufuli has announced.

Mkapa, 81, passed away on Friday morning at a hospital in Dar es Salaam.

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“Mzee Benjamin William Mkapa, the third president of Tanzania has died at a Dar es Salaam hospital where he was admitted. May all Tanzanians receive the news of his death and pray for Mzee Mkapa, more information will be released but Mzee Mkapa is no more,” said Magufuli

Benjamin Mkapa, will be remembered for his tireless efforts in leading several regional peace mediation accords including Kenya’s political impasse after the 2007 general election.

Mkapa was born on November 12, 1938, in Ndanda, Tanzania, and is survived by three children and his spouse Anna Mkapa.

Following Mkapa’s demise, President Magufuli declared seven days of mourning. During the period, the Tanzanian flag will fly half-mast.

Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga eulogized Mkapa as a great friend to Kenyans and a pan-Africanist