Fourteen days of national mourning have been declared in Tanzania to mark the death of President John Magufuli, who died at the age of 61.

Fourteen days of national mourning have been declared in Tanzania to mark the death of President John Magufuli, who died at the age of 61.

Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who announced Mr. Magufuli’s death on state television, said he died from complications related to a heart condition.

Mr. Magufuli had not been seen in public for more than two weeks, and rumours have been circulating about his health.

Once praised for his no-nonsense approach, he went on to become a controversial leader, nicknamed the “Bulldozer”.

However, Tanzanian opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, says President John Magufuli’s death has offered an opportunity to “chart a new course and step back from the brink of disaster”.

Speaking on Thursday Mr. Lissu said Mr. Magufuii’s “politics, policies and Covid denialism” had “driven the country towards disaster”.