After weeks of a mysterious absence of Tanzanians president John Magufuli, Vice President Samia Hassan finally announced his death to the public. She told the public late Wednesday night that he died from a heart condition that he apparently suffered through for 10 years. The country is currently in a 14-day mourning period, with all flags being flown at half mast. Zitto Kabwe, leader of the opposition party, said that he spoke with Vice President Hassan and offered his condolences. Kabwe also posted on his twitter, ““The nation will remember him for his contribution to the development of our country.” According to Tanzania’s constitution, Hassan is going to take the remainder of Magufuli’s 5-year term and is due to be the first female leader of the country. Citizens of the country, although very saddened to hear the news of their presidents death, are upset that they were kept in the dark and assured that he was healthy and working during his 3-week disappearance. Another opposition leaser, Tundu Lissu, is quoted saying, ““Magufuli died of corona. That is one. Number two, Magufuli did not die this evening. I have information from basically the same sources which told me he was gravely ill, I have information that Magufuli has been dead since Wednesday of last week.”
I covered an article about Magufuli’s disappearance earlier this week, just now finding the news that he passed away. Shocked when I read the headline, I decided to further cover the story. My speculation for why government officials were trying to deny his illness is becuase Magufuli has “downsized” the problem of COVID-19, refusing to wear a mask and telling the public that the country was COVID-19 free in May of 2020. Magufuli only recently confirmed that COVID-19 was not in fact out of the country. If some of the opposition’s speculations are true, and Magufuli did have COVID-19, it is understandable that his government officials did the truth it in order to protect his reputation. The lying of his whereabouts could affect Tanzania’s relations with other countries in their region. A sense of mistrust could be shown.
Levels of analysis can help determine some facts about this issue. An a state level, the government lied to the people about the whereabouts of the president. The people of Tanzania were upset about rumors being spread of his illness. Overall, chaos and confusion between the political parties erupted. On an individual level, John Magufuli died from an unconfirmed illness. Samia Hassan assured everyone during this disappearance that he was healthy and working, then later announced his death. Tundu Lissu of the opposing party outspokenly argued against the government on the confusion of the president, and once his death was announced he claimed that he died earlier and that he died of COVID-19 even though the government announced it was a heart condition. While nothing is confirmed yet, the information gathered is pointing towards COVID-19 being the cause of death and the government wanted to protect Magufuli’s reputation.