Tanzania's former President Benjamin William Mkapa 81 died in the early hours of Friday, President John Magufuli announced in a televised broadcast from Chamwino State House in Dodoma.
President Magufuli said Mr Mkapa died at Dar es Salaam Hospital where he was admitted. Relaying the news on Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
“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 a brief television statement.
Benjamin Mkapa was born on November 12, 1938.
He was a regional peacemaker who led Tanzania for 10 years between 1995 and 2005 before handing over to Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.
Mkapa, 81, also served as an ambassador, Foreign Affairs Minister between 1977 and 1980 and played a key role in encouraging the United Nations sanctions against apartheid South Africa as a punishment for its occupation of Namibia.
President Magufuli has declared a seven day mourning period, during which all flags will be flown at half-mast.
"Magufuli asks all Tanzanians to remain calm, patient and united during this difficult time," he stated.
Kenyans will remember Mkapa for his instrumental role, as one of the eminent persons in mediating talks between Raila Odinga’s ODM and Mwai Kibaki’s PNU after the country erupted into chaos following the disputed 2007 elections.
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