The government of Tanzania has issued a 14-day mourning for President John Magufuli, 61,who died of a heart condition on Wednesday.
According to the Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President passed away at about 6Pm at was Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam where he was admitted on March 14.
The Vice President said Magufuli was first briefly admitted to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute on March 6, but was subsequently discharged.
But he was rushed to hospital again on March 14 after feeling unwell. She announced that the nation will observe a 14-day period of mourning.
According to the Constitution the Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan is now the acting president of Tanzania.
While a date for her swearing in has not yet been announced, she will be Tanzania’s first female president.
According to Tanzania’s constitution, The Vice President, Samia Suluhu Hassan will be sworn after 24 hours asThe President of United Republic of Tanzania to serve the remaining term until 2025.
Article 37 (5) of The constitution of Republic of Tanzania, after the swearing in of Samia Suluhu Hassan as President, she will consult with the ruling party (CCM) on the appointee for the position of The Vice President.
The 37 (5) article states ‘the office of President becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, loss of electoral qualifications or inability to perform his functions due to physical infirmity or failure to discharge the duties and functions of the office of President, then the Vice-President shall be sworn in and become the President for the unexpired period of the term of five years and in accordance with the conditions set out in Article 40, and, after consultation with the political party to which he or she belongs, the President shall propose the name of the person who shall be Vice-President and such appointment shall be confirmed by the National Assembly by votes of not less than fifty percent of all the Members of Parliament.’