Africa News of Monday, 22 March 2021

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

African leaders arrive in Tanzania for Magufuli's funeral

Magufuli's burial is slated for March 26 in Chato, his hometown play videoMagufuli's burial is slated for March 26 in Chato, his hometown

A number of African leaders are expected to join Tanzanians for the funeral of president John Pombe Magufuli.

According to government spokesperson, 10 African leaders had confirmed their attendance.

At the time of filing this report, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia's Edgar Lungu had arrived in the country.

Today's memorial is the second of three to remember the former president whose death was announced last week. It is being held in the capital Dodoma. The first one was held over the weekend in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Magufuli died of heart complications and is due to be buried in his hometown of Chato. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu insists that the president died of coronavirus - despite his repeated denial of the pandemic.

Magufuli's deputy, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was sworn-in as president on March 19. She became the sixth president of the United Republic of Tanzania, the first woman to hold the position.