Tanzania’s President dies due to Covid-19 implications
On March 17, 2021 John Magufuli passed after an extensive battle with Covid-19. He had died from heart complications that were caused by this deadly virus. It was never confirmed whether or not President Magufuli contracted Covid-19 until he died. He wasn’t seen in the public for two weeks and rumours began circulating in regards to his health. After being a skeptic about Covid-19 his death was shocking to the entire world. Mr. Magufuli didn’t believe Covid-19 was a deadly virus. Rather he said “Coronavirus which is a devil, cannot survive in the body of christ… it will burn instantly” after recommending that people go to churches and mosques to pray instead of being on lockdown.
John Magufuli interacting with the public while on a road trip. BBC News
The entire country of Tanzania was in gloomy mood after the death of Mr. Magufuli. This was the first time since their existence that Tanzania has suffered the death of the current president. Although rumours had been going around that President Magufuli was ill, the authorities reassured the public and told them that all was well. Therefore, the news of his death came as a shock to everyone. A power shift is coming as Samia Suluhu is set to take over as president and become Tanzania’s first ever woman president. A majority of Tanzania feels that they are in good hands with President Suluhu, but she has yet to voice her opinion on the Coronavirus and whether or not she is skeptical about it.
President Sulhu walking with her guards after being sworn in as the sixth President of Tanzania
After being in office for only weeks President Suluhu has shown that she’s looking for a swift power change. Most recently she lifted the media ban that was implemented by John Magufuli. He had believed that the freedom granted to the press had plummeted so decided to limit how much freedom they can have. Mr. Magufuli had journalists arrested, and shut down newpapers and websites. President Suluhu lifted this ban because she didn’t believe it was right to give the press the impression that their freedom is shrinking. “We should not ban the media by force. Reopen them, and we should ensure they follow the rules,” she said.
References:
Nairobi Reuters. “Tanzania’s New President Lifts Media Ban.” U.S News & World Report, U.S News & World Report, 6 Apr. 2021,
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-04-06/tanzanias-new-president-lifts-media-ban
Dickens Olewe. “John Magufuli: The cautionary tale of the president who denied coronavirus.” BBC News, BBC News, 18, Mar. 2021,
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56412912
Dickens Olewe. “John Magufuli: Tanzania's president dies aged 61 after Covid rumours.” BBC News, BBC News, 18, Mar. 2021,
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56437852
4 comments:
How do the people feel about the coronavirus? Are they skeptical as well?
And does the new president really believe in freedom of the press if she wants to reopen them only to enforce the set rules?
I think it is really interesting that the government would hide something like that. I think it is unfair to lie to the entire country. It will be interesting to see how something like this affects the country as a whole in the future.
I think this transition of power will be interesting and I am intrigued to find out how the current president will take on the issue of Covid. I don't know much about Tanzania but I wonder if by allowing for more freedom for the press that more people will be informed about the effects of covid. I am curious to know what the general population's stance is on covid-19.
It's very sad to see how irresponsible leaders can be. Not only are they putting the present people at risk, but their entire economy and future progress is going to struggle. I also wonder the same as A. Katz- how does the general public feel? If their news and information is filtered by the government are they aware of what's actually going on globally?
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