Tanzania’s second president, Hassan Mwinyi, dies aged 98

Tanzania’s second president, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, has died at the age of 98. He died on Thursday (29 February).

The news of Mwinyi’s death was announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Mwinyi served as the president of Tanzania between 1985 and 1995. He succeeded the founding president, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

Mwinyi was just three months away from his 99th birthday.

He had been in and out of hospital with a chest illness since last November. He is credited for introducing multiparty elections and easing state control of the economy.

Tributes came in from regional leaders. The Kenyan president, William Ruto, spoke of Mwinyi as a great leader. Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, said Mwinyi was a “great African leader and statesman”.

I extend my condolences and those of the people of Kenya to President @SuluhuSamia and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania following the passing on of H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi — the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

We join in mourning the loss of a… pic.twitter.com/WMc3SgKS9B

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 29, 2024