Reported by
Faridah N Kulumba
It is over 2 weeks since the president of Tanzania John Pombe Magufuli also known as Bulldozer has not been seen in public.
Magufuli’s absence sparked speculation after the opposition leader Tundu Lissu started asking questions over president Magufuli whereabouts,
who has not been seen in public since the end of February, yet he is known for his public speeches and appearances on state television several times a week.
Tundu Lissu told the BBC that 61 years old magufuli was flown to a foreign country in a critical condition, after suffering a cardiac arrest due to Covid-19.
Magufuli declared Tanzania coronavirus-free in April last year and also said that Covid-19 can be healed by praying and herbal infused steaming.
*No official statement from Tanzania’s government.*
There is no confirmed comments from Tanzania’s government about the whereabouts or health status of the president, but according to East Africa,
Tanzania’s Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged the country not to be unnerved by “rumours flying around,” insisting that the country is safe.
Without referring to anyone, Ms Hassan said :-
“ It’s quite normal for a person’s body to be indisposed and contract the flu or develop a fever… this is the time for Tanzanians to be united through prayer.” said Ms Hassan.
Last week Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa also dismissed the rumours saying that the president is healthy and busy with his presidential duties and that he spoke to him on phone.
“He directed me to tell you that he loves you very much, and thanks for the many votes you cast for him,” said Majaliwa.
Polly Mwambu a performer in the Jazz Band in Tanzania, told African Press that the situation is normal in Tanzania,
and that no media is broadcasting the news about their president’s illness, but that they are concerned about his absence.
“I am worried and concerned about our president’s disappearance,
but i pray that his well wherever he is because he has done much for our country,” Ms Mwambu said.
*What next for Tanzania?*
There is growing pressure on the government of Tanzania to reveal president Magufuli’s condition.
All eyes are now on Vice-president Samia Suluhu Hassan according to the constitution.
Ms Hassan 61 year old served as a minister of state under the vice-president’s office, and has been the first female vice-president since 2015.
Many people are pushing the government to follow the constitutional provisions to replace Magufuli with Ms Hassan, should he prove unable to resume his duties.
According to Article 37 when the cabinet finds that the president is unable to discharge the functions of his office by reason of physical or mental infirmity,
it may submit to the chief justice a resolution requesting him to certify the president’s incapacity.
Emanuel Kaniki, a constitutional lawyer based in Western part of Tanzania,
told The African News that it would be difficult to follow Article 37 of the constitution under these circumstances:
“There is no information that this man (president Magufuli) cannot perform his duties. And secondly, there is no official government statement.
In such circumstances, it will be difficult to implement this article. You need to have enough evidence as stipulated by law and not merely rumours.”
Magufuli, unlike other East African Countries, refused to follow Covid-19 World Health Organisation scientific guidelines and remained skeptical about the disease.
