Former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi died at age 98, on Thursday, February 29, 2024, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said on Thursday in a television broadcast.
Four weeks ago, Mwinyi was hospitalised for chest pain. He gave up today while receiving treatment for lung cancer at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
Although his final resting place is yet to be confirmed, Mwinyi will be laid to rest on March 2.
President Hassan stated that Mwinyi had been receiving treatment in London, UK, since November last year before he was returned 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.
Mwinyi who is credited with ushering the East African nation into free market economics was the second President of Tanzania from 1985 to 1995. He succeeded the founding president, Julius Nyerere.
President Hassan declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the former president. The national flags will fly at half-mast throughout Tanzania for the duration of the seven-day mourning period.