AfricaPress-Tanzania: TEN African presidents have confirmed their participation during the state funeral of the departed Tanzania’s iconic leader, Dr John Magufuli, scheduled to take place at the Jamhuri Stadium in the country’s capital Dodoma.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the first Head of State to arrive in the country. He jetted at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Sunday evening.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Dr Hassan Abbasi named other Heads of State who are expected to attend today’s event as Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Lazarus Chakwera ( Malawi), Cyril Ramaphosa ( South Africa), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe)who arrived yesterday and Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique).
Also in the list are Edgar Lungu (Zambia), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC), Azali Assoumani (Comoro) Hage Geingob (Namibia) and Mokgweetsi Madison (Botswana).
Dr Abbasi told journalists that three other presidents had by yesterday evening confirmed to send their top representatives at the event.
The Chief Government Spokesperson named leaders who will represent their presidents as Prime Minister of Rwanda, Vice President of Burundi and Angola’s Foreign Affairs Minister.
Equally, he added, over 50 members of the diplomatic corps had also said they will attend this historic event.
A spot check by the ‘Daily News’ on Sunday found out that security had been beefed up all over Dodoma, as hundreds of residents in the region and its environs are expected to flock the famous Jamhuri Stadium to pay their last respects to the departed Dr Magufuli the country’s fifth president.
Known in the world as the no-nonsense statesman, Dr Magufuli died at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday after battling heart complications.
On Sunday, Dr Abbasi who doubles as Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, reminded people to turn up in bigger numbers to bid farewell to the fallen African Hero.
Preparations for the historic national event were by Sunday complete as Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Dr Binilith Mahenge asked wananchi in Dodoma and the neighbouring regions to turn up in bigger numbers to bid farewell to their former lovely leader.
Addressing journalists here, Dr Mahenge said President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead Dodoma residents to pay their last respects, an event which will be beamed live by several local and international media.
Other dignitaries who are expected to attend the event include Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leaders, top government officials, leaders from the judiciary and legislature, religious leaders and members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
A plane carrying the casket of the departed Tanzanian leader touched down at Dodoma Airport on Sunday evening.
Later it was taken to Chamwino State House, with a motorcade carrying the body passing through the popular Chako ni Chako road all the way to Nyerere and Dar es Salaam roads (Morogoro-Dar Road) respectively.
According to Dr Abbasi, Dr Magufuli’s body will be taken to parliament early this morning to allow legislators to pay their last respects.
He reminded Dodoma residents to come up in bigger numbers because President Samia had already declared that today was a public holiday.
Other important events that will take place at Jamhuri Stadium include a full military hour to the body of Dr Magufuli from members of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), prayers as well as tributes from various top government leaders.
After being accorded final respects in Dodoma, the body of the iconic leader will be preserved at Benjamin Mkapa morgue before being flown to Zanzibar on Tuesday.
According to Dr Mahenge the plane carrying the body will leave for Zanzibar from Dodoma airport at 6am on Tuesday.
