Tanzanian President John Magufuli, alias “Bulldozer” has died of “heart conditions,” vice-President Samia Suluhu announced in Dar-es-Salaam Wednesday 17th March.
Magufuli was among the strongest sceptics of Covid-19 and was heavily criticized for his government’s poor handling of the disease.
His absence from the public for two weeks before his passing had triggered rumours that he had been struck by the virus. This was denied by the government, but there are speculations he might have succumbed to complications from the infection.
Under the Tanzanian constitution, vice-President Suluhu should necessarily succeed Magufuli, who was first elected in 2015 and was reelected in a disputed poll last year. But there could be power struggle among other contenders.