African leaders joined Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan in bidding farewell to the late Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli.
African Heads of States who graced the occassion include: Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), Felix Tshisekedi (Congo), Eric Keabetswe Masisi (Botswana), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi) among other African leaders.
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, who doubles as EAC chairman, used the occasion to praise Magufuli for transforming Tanzania by demonstrating that Africans can be independent through sheer determination and hard work. He described Magufuli as a respectable leader, a friend and a pan Africanist of their time.
"I mourn a close friend. His death is a blow to me personally. We spoke almost daily & I consulted him frequently on EAC matters. He showed the world that Africa can be independent," stated Uhuru.
President Uhuru was forced to halt his speech when he heard prayers from an adjacent Mosque. The proclamation of adhaan, a call for prayer, from a nearby Mosque prompted Uhuru to pause his speech.
Tanzanians thronged the streets of Dodoma, as the military convoy entered the Jamhuri Stadium, in recognition and honor of their departed leader.
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