AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
TANZANIAN have begun a 21 day period to pay their final respects to their late president John Pombe Magufulli.
Magufuli’s body is lying in state at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar Es Salaam, marking the beginning of its tour through the country to enable ordinary Tanzanians to bid their former No 1 citizen farewell.
Yesterday, Magufulli’s body was taken to St Peter Catholic Church for a mass before being taken through the streets of Dar Es Salaam, en route to the Uhuru Stadium, where hundreds of mourners filed past his coffin, others bowing in respect while officers of Tanzanian law enforcement agencies and soldiers saluted.
Magufuli has been replaced by Samia Salou Hassan who was sworn in on Friday.
In an unprecedented move, the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta has declared a 7-day mourning period for Magufuli and ordered that flags must be flown at half mast.
Uhuru also paid a special visit to the Tanzanian High Commission in Nairobi to pay his respects to a presidential colleague who was also a close friend.
Other African heads of states have also paid tribute to Magufuli. President Paul Kagame said Magufuli was a steadfast pan African and a friend of Rwanda.
Sahle-Work Zewde, the President of Ethiopia said: “It is with deep sadness that I learned the passing of President John P #Magufuli. He welcomed me in Chato 6 weeks ago where we had an excellent exchange.He was a good friend of #Ethiopia and many Ethiopians he knew. We have lost a great African.May his soul rest in eternal Peace.”
