Dar es Salaam, (TZ). Tanzania’s former President, Ali Hassan Mwinyi has died after a short period of illness battling lung cancer at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He was 98 years old.
The death of the former head of State was announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a statement on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
In a televised speech, H.E. Suluhu announced that Mwinyi, who served as Tanzania’s second president (1985-95), was a year and three months shy of marking a century on earth.
The President revealed that Mwinyi had been receiving treatment in London, UK, since November last year before he was taken back home and admitted to Mzena Hospital, where he met his death.
“On behalf of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my condolences to the family, relatives, friends, and all Tanzanians for this great loss to the nation,” President Hassan said.
Following the death, President Hassan declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the former leader and icon.
According to President Hassan, the national flags will fly at half-mast throughout Tanzania for the duration of the seven-day mourning period.
Mwinyi became President of Tanzania in 1985 when he succeeded the founding president, Julius Nyerere. He went on to serve for two terms until 1995.
In a span of three years, Tanzania has lost three presidents with Mwinyi now following Pombe Magufuli who died on 17th March 2021, and Benjamin Mkapa who died on 24th July 2020.
His son Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, is the current President of Zanzibar, in the Tanzanian archipelago.
Mwinyi will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 2; but his final resting place is yet to be confirmed.
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