Former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa is dead

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

Tanzania's former President Benjamin Mkapa, has died aged 81, President John Magufuli has announced today.

While relaying the news on Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) July 24, President Magufuli said former President died at a Dar es Salaam Hospital where he was admitted.

“I call on all Tanzanians to receive the news of his death and to pray for Mzee Mkapa. More information will be released but Mzee Mkapa is no more,” he said in brief television statement.

He also declared a seven-day mourning period. During which, all flags in the country will be flown at half-mast.

Mkapa led Tanzaniain a multi-party era from 1995 to 2005 before handing over to Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete who also led from 2005 to 2015.

He was born on November 12, 1938.

He graduated from Makerere University in Uganda in 1962 with a degree in English. He also attended Columbia University in 1963 and was awarded a master’s degree in international affairs.

He also had the chance to lead the Tanzanian mission to Canada in the year 1982 and to the United States Of America from 1983 to 1984.

The late Mkapa was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1990. In 1995, Mkapa was elected as President based on a popular anti-corruption campaign and the strong support of former President Julius Nyerere.

The former president is known for leading several peace mediation efforts in the region, including taking part in Kenya's post-election conciliation exercise in 2008.

He was part of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, which ended the post-election violence after the highly disputed December 27, 2007 elections.

Mkapa later penned a book where he revealed that locking out Kenya's Deputy President, William Ruto and Martha Karua from the post-elections violence mediation team in 2008 helped secure a power-sharing agreement between Kenya's former President Mwai Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.

Mkapa also mediated talks between the Burundi government and opposition in 2016 that were aimed at ending a long political crisis. 

In a condolence message, the Germany embassy termed Mkapa as a great gentleman, skilfull diplomat and politician.

"We are shocked and saddened by the sudden and unexpected death of the Former President of Tanzania, Benjamin William Mkapa. A great gentleman, skilfull Diplomat and Politician. Germany lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family." Embassy said in a twetter note.