Ex President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkuapa, took his last breath on 24th July 2020 aged 81 years old.
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Benjamin William Mkapa was the third President of Tanzania, in office from 1995 to 2005. He was also Chairman of the Revolutionary State Political Party.
In Kenya, Mkapa is hugely remembered on the role he played during the post election violence in 2007.
Mkapa was among the key team lead by late UN Secretary General Koffi Anna that saw end of civil war and formation of a unitary government between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki.
Statement from Tanzanian Government
Interesting Facts About Fallen Ex President Mkapa
- He was born on 12 November 1938 in Ndanda, Tanzania, southern Tanganyika
- Late President Mkapa was married to Ann Mkapa and together had three children
- He graduated from Makerere University in Uganda in 1962 with a degree in English. He later joined Columbia University in 1963 and was awarded a master’s degree in international affairs
- Under his name, he had published several books such as My Life, My Purpose: A Tanzanian President Remembers, The Mkapa Years: Collected Speeches
- Professionally, late Mkapa was a journalist and a diplomat
- He was elected as the fifth president of Tanzania due to his strong support against corruption, as well as being a strong ally of former Tanzania President Julius Nyerere
- In government, he faced a number of critics such as being extravagant.He spent £15 million on a private presidential jet, as well as almost £30 million on military aviation equipment which experts deemed beyond the limited needs of the country’s armed forces.
- He also faced corruption allegations such as privatization of state industries under his name. One such being Kiwira Coal Mine
- Mkapa was a key team member of Koffi Mediation Team in 2007 that saw end of Post Election Violence
- In other roles, Mkapa served as a Trustee of the Aga Khan University from November 2007 until 2012
