Former Tanzania’s president Benjamin William Mkapa dies at 81.

Retired President of the third phase government in Tanzania Benjamin William Mkapa has died at the age of 81.

President John Pombe Magufuli has announced on Friday night on national television the news of the death of the third phase leader in a hospital in Dar es Salaam while he was receiving medical treatment.

” Elder Benjamin William Mkapa The third term President has died. He died at a hospital in Dar es Salaam where he was lying. Let me ask Tanzanians to accept this. The nation has suffered a great deal. Let us continue to pray for our Elder President Benjamin William Mkapa who has come before justice, “declared President Magufuli.

The report, however, did not specify what illness Mzee Benjamin William Mkapa was suffering from.

On his official Twitter page, President Magufuli mourned Benjamin William Mkapa and said he would remember him “for his great love for the Nation, his piety, hard work and performance in building the economy.”

More information on the tragedy and funeral plans are expected to be released later today.

Mzee Benjamin William Mkapa was born in November 1938, in Mtwara Region in southern Tanzania, and led the country for two terms from 1995 to 2005.