The Kenyan Government has declared three-day national mourning as a mark of respect to the former president of Tanzania Benjamin William Mkapa who died on Friday.
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that the Kenyan and East African Community flags be flown at half-mast in the country and all Kenya’s Diplomatic Missions abroad from dawn on Monday, July 27 until sunset on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
“…in testimony of the high esteem in which the People of Kenya hold the Late Former President Benjamin William Mkapa, the Republic of Kenya will observe a period of three (3) days of national mourning,” said Kenyatta, in a presidential proclamation issued Friday.
“…in memory of the Late Former President Benjamin William Mkapa, and in solemn solidarity with the Nation and People of the United Republic of Tanzania; the Flag of the East African Community and the Flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at all Public Buildings and Public Grounds, and wherever else throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya and at all of Kenya’s Diplomatic Missions abroad,” he added.
The late Mkapa served as President from 1995 to 2005, died in the early hours of Friday, President John Magufuli said in a statement.
He was 81.
Nimesikitishwa na kifo cha Mzee wetu Benjamin Mkapa (Rais Mstaafu wa Awamu ya 3). Nitamkumbuka kwa mapenzi yake makubwa kwa Taifa, ucha Mungu, uchapakazi na utendaji wake katika kujenga uchumi. Hakika Taifa limepoteza nguzo imara. Mungu aiweke roho yake mahali pema peponi, Amina.
— Dr John Magufuli (@MagufuliJP) July 23, 2020
Tanzanian President John Magufuli declared a seven-day mourning period, during which flags will be flown at half-mast.
Mkapa believed in Regional Integration and championed the revival of the East Africa Community. In his death, Africa has lost a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, President John Pombe Magufuli and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania. #RIPMzeeMkapa 3/3
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 24, 2020
#EAC has lost a mentor, adviser and intellectual who has provided guidance and advice whenever called upon to do so. President Mkapa was a signatory to the Treaty for the Establishment of the #EAC in 1999 alongside late President Moi (#Kenya) and President Museveni (#Uganda). pic.twitter.com/dj8n41Ws7b
— East African Community (@jumuiya) July 24, 2020
Mkapa was born in 1938 in Ndanda, near Masasi in southern Tanganyika. He graduated from Makerere University in Uganda in 1962 with a degree in English. He also attended Columbia University in 1963 and was awarded a master’s degree in international affairs.
Previous posts include being an administrative officer in Dodoma and the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education. He also had the chance to led the Tanzanian mission to Canada in the year 1982 and to the United States Of America from 1983 to 1984. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1990.
In 1995, Mkapa was elected as President based on a popular anti-corruption campaign and the strong support of former president Julius Nyerere. Mkapa’s anti-corruption efforts included the creation of an open forum called the Presidential Commission on Corruption (Warioba Commission) and increased support for the Prevention of Corruption Bureau.
Mkapa’s second five-year term of office as President ended in December 2005.
******
When he became President of Tanzania, we worked together to consolidate the East African Community. It is a great loss for Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) July 24, 2020
President @CyrilRamaphosa has sent condolences to the Government and the people of Tanzania following the passing of Former President Benjamin William Mkapa.
He was a formidable leader championing peace, integration & development. https://t.co/6voIb052kq#RIPBenjaminMkapa pic.twitter.com/st1InI0h5Q
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 24, 2020
A third-wave leader, Mzee Mkapa contributed immensely to strengthening democratic governance in Africa. Namibians, owe him a debt of gratitude for his role in the independence of our country. My deepest condolences to his wife, children and the people of Tanzania. #RIPMzeeMkapa
— Dr Hage G. Geingob (@hagegeingob) July 24, 2020
The loss of our brother Mkapa is one that will be felt throughout the continent. He was a great Pan-Africanist whose contribution went well beyond Tanzania.
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) July 24, 2020
It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the passing of Mzee Benjamin Mkapa,former President of #Tanzania. A statesman particularly remembered as an indefatigable peacemaker in the East African region. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family,the people and govt of Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/go4DC20qhM
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) July 23, 2020
Additional information from https://www.tzembassy.go.tz/
