Tanzania: opposition wants to know where President Magufuli is

President Magufuli in Dar es Salaam.

REUTERS / Sadi Said

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Where is the Tanzanian president located?

John Magufuli has not been seen in public since February 26.

Almost two weeks of absence which launched a wave of rumors especially as the Kenyan press speaks of the hospitalization of an African head of state in Nairobi because of Covid-19.

The Tanzanian power is not expressed, but the opposition asks for explanations from the authorities.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi,

Sébastien Németh

Where is President Magufuli?

What is his state of health?

We demand a press release

”.

Opponent John John Mnyika, secretary general of the Chadema party, demands accountability from the authorities as the head of state has disappeared from radar.

The Tanzanian president was on tour in Dar Es Salaam at the end of February.

But since then, the very believing John Magufuli, has not reappeared, not even at Sunday mass.

Several people explain that he was admitted to a hospital in Nairobi.

A source hypothesizes a possible control of his pacemaker.

But the Kenyan press announced the care, since Monday, of an African head of state suffering from the Coronavirus.

Without naming him, the

Daily Nation

gave clues reminiscent of John Magufuli.

The opponent Tundu Lissu estimated that the head of state was indeed affected by Covid-19.

"

Sad to see that he had to travel to Kenya to prove that the remedies he touted do not protect

," commented the former presidential candidate.

The irony would indeed be stinging as John Magufuli

constantly downplayed the epidemic,

ignored hygiene measures, claimed that the virus had been defeated thanks to prayers, that it could be eradicated with the help of steam baths and medicinal herbs.

Three weeks ago, the head of state softened his position after the death on the same day of his secretary and the first vice-president of Zanzibar.

John Magufuli finally asked Tanzanians to wear masks.

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  • Tanzania

  • Coronavirus

  • John Magufuli