John Magufuli

5th President of Tanzania from 2015 to 2021

Dr John Joseph Magufuli (29 October 1959 – 17 March 2021) was a Tanzanian politician. He was the President of Tanzania from 2015 until his death. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, Magufuli became known for not believing that the virus was real or a threat.[1]

John Magufuli
5th President of Tanzania
In office
5 November 2015 – 17 March 2021
Prime MinisterKassim Majaliwa
Vice PresidentSamia Suluhu
Preceded byJakaya Kikwete
Succeeded bySamia Suluhu
Minister of Works, Transport and Communications
In office
28 November 2010 – 5 November 2015
Prime MinisterMizengo Pinda
Preceded byShukuru Kawambwa
Succeeded byMakame Mbarawa
In office
November 2000 – 21 December 2005
Prime MinisterFrederick Sumaye
Succeeded byBasil Mramba
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development
In office
13 February 2008 – 6 November 2010
Prime MinisterMizengo Pinda
Preceded byAnthony Diallo
Succeeded byDavid Mathayo David
Minister of Lands and Human Settlements
In office
6 January 2006 – 13 February 2008
Prime MinisterEdward Lowassa
Succeeded byJohn Chiligati
Member of Parliament for
Biharamulo East and Chato
In office
November 1995 – July 2015
Succeeded byKalemani Medard
Personal details
Born(1959-10-29)29 October 1959
Chato, Tanganyika (now Tanzania)
Died17 March 2021(2021-03-17) (aged 61)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Political partyChama Cha Mapinduzi
Spouse(s)Janeth Magufuli
Children2
EducationUniversity of Dar es Salaam (BS, MS, PhD)
Military service
Allegiance Tanzania
Branch/serviceNational Service
Years of service1983–1984

He was in the Cabinet of Tanzania as Deputy Minister of Works from 1995 to 2000, Minister of Works from 2000 to 2006, Minister of Lands and Human Settlement from 2006 to 2008, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries from 2008 to 2010, and as Minister of Works for a second time from 2010 to 2015.[2]

Beginning in late February 2021, Magufuli was not seen publicly and rumors arose that he was hospitalized with COVID-19.[3] On 10 March 2021, a Kenyan newspaper reported that an "African leader" was in bad health because of COVID.[4]

Magufuli died at a Dar es Salaam hospital on 17 March 2021, aged 61.[5] The cause of death was said to be heart failure by the Tanzanian government.[1]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Dahir, Abdi Latif (2021-03-17). "John Magufuli, Tanzania Leader Who Played Down Covid, Dies at 61". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  2. "Member of Parliament CV". Parliament of Tanzania. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  3. agencies, Staff and (2021-03-17). "Tanzania's Covid-denying president, John Magufuli, dies aged 61". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  4. Lewis, David; Miriri, Duncan (10 March 2021). "Where's Magufuli? Tanzanian leader's absence fuels health concern". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021..
  5. "Tanzania's populist President John Magufuli has died at 61". AP NEWS. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-03-18.