Egyptian president extends condolences over passing of Tanzanian counterpart

CAIRO – 18 March 2021: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi extended condolences Thursday to the Tanzanian government and people over the passing of President John Magufuli late on March 17.

President Sisi noted that Magufuli "had offered a lot to his people, homeland, and the African continent."   

"Out of the close ties between Egypt and Tanzania, President Sisi affirmed the Arab Republic of Egypt's solidarity with Tanzania praying that the late chief of state rests in peace and that God bestows patience and consolation upon his family and admirers," the statements released by the presidency spokesperson reads.

Magufuli passed away aged 61 while he had been serving as the fifth president of Tanzania since 2015. He was born in 1959 and studied chemistry and maths at the University of Dar es Salaam.

The late Tanzanian president began his career as a chemistry and maths teacher. In 1995, he was elected member of parliament representing Biharamulo East and Chato, and kept getting re-elected until he became president in 2015.

In 2000, he was appointed minister of works, transport, and communication remaining in office until 2005. He assumed the same position again between 2010 and 2015. In the years in between, he had been minister of lands and human settlements (2006-2008), and minister of livestock and fisheries development (2008-2010).