President Uhuru Kenyatta today joined thousands of Tanzanians and visiting leaders, among them eight other African Heads of State, at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma for the State Funeral of former President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.
“The President was respected not only here in Tanzania but also in the entire East Africa, the whole of Africa and the entire world. Ours is to urge you to continue with the unity you have, work together and support your new President so that she completes the work started by our departed brother,” President Kenyatta told his Tanzanian counterpart.
In her address, the new Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the late Dr Magufuli was loved by many in Tanzania and the region, and regretted the passing away of the former Head of State.
“Through him, Tanzania got its first woman Vice President who is now the first Woman President,” she said.
“I want to repeat that whoever is standing here, is the President of Tanzania whose gender is female,” President Suluhu affirmed.
President Suluhu assured Mrs Janeth Magufuli, the widow of the former President, that her administration will continue looking after her and the family of the departed leader.
President Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union described the late former President as a “nationalist and a great defender of the economic freedom of Africa”.
The Congolese leader said Dr Magufuli will forever be remembered for his relentless fight against corruption, and assured Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu of the Africa Union’s support as she steers her country forward.