PHOTOS: Tanzanians line up streets to bid Magufuli final goodbye

Hundreds of Tanzanians lined up on the streets in Dar es Salaam to bid their final goodbye to the late President John Pombe Magufuli.

In videos posted online by the country’s Government Spokesperson, citizens are seen huddling during the day and night to catch a glimpse of the hearse as it slowly sneaks its way past them.

Some were dressed in black or the green and yellow colors of the ruling party as they waved goodbye to the deceased President and took photos of the hearse.

pic.twitter.com/6ebiSTb4JE

— Msemaji Mkuu wa Serikali (@TZMsemajiMkuu) March 20, 2021

https://twitter.com/TZMsemajiMkuu/status/1373396062736637952?s=20

Some who could not hold back their grief were seen breaking down, mourning a leader they visibly cherished.

Photos posted on Twitter showed a huge majority of Tanzanians still not wearing masks or keeping social distance as they lined up the streets.

It was only the clergy led by Catholic Archbishop of Dar es Salaam Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi who were seen donning masks during the State funeral at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Tanzanians would get into a 14-day period of mourning ahead of burial plans.

During the mourning period, all flags in Tanzania are flying at half-mast.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni also announced on Saturday that the country would also observe a 14-day mourning period following the ‘untimely death’ of Magufuli. He said the Ugandan flag would also fly at half mast within the country and at all Ugandan embassies around the world until the day of the burial.

On his part, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared a 7-day mourning period for Kenyans and directed that the Kenyan flag and that of the East African Community to fly at half mast in all public and Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad from Thursday, March 18 until the day Magufuli will be buried.

Across the African continent and the world, reactions are streaming in — both loving and searing — over the death of Tanzanian President John Magufuli.

Perhaps the most telling reaction from outside of East Africa came from the U.S. State Department, which released a brief statement, saying little about Magufuli.

“We extend our condolences to Tanzanians mourning the passing of President John Pombe Magufuli. … The United States remains committed to continuing to support Tanzanians as they advocate for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that Tanzania can move forward on a democratic and prosperous path,” the statement said.

The U.S. is the largest bilateral donor to Tanzania.