TANZANIA is in mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and First Vice President, Cleopa David Msuya, who passed away yesterday, at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He was 94.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed his passing in a short televised address, noting that the former premier died at 9 a.m. while undergoing treatment for cardiac complications.

“The nation has suffered a great loss,” the president said. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, friends and all Tanzanians. I hereby declare seven days of national mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-mast from 7th to 13th May.”

Msuya had been battling a prolonged illness and received treatment locally and abroad, including at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Mzena Hospital, and at a London medical facility in the United Kingdom.

Born on 4 January 1931 in Chomvu, Usangi ward of Mwanga District in Kilimanjaro Region, he was a respected statesman and veteran civil servant whose career spanned decades of Tanzania’s post-independence development.

He studied at Makerere University from 1952 to 1955 before beginning his career in rural community development. From 1964 to 1972, he served as principal secretary in several ministries, including Community Development and Culture; Lands and Water Development; Economic Affairs and Planning; and then moved to the Treasury.

In 1972, he was appointed Minister for Finance, later serving as Minister for Industry, and then rising to the post of Prime Minister after the October 1980 polls.

Over the years, the deceased statesman held various senior cabinet roles, including Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning and Minister for Industry and Trade.

He returned to the premiership late 1994, concurrently serving as First Vice President, a role he held until the October 1995 polls, where he remained in the legislature as Mwanga MPo until he finally retired from active politics at the time of the October 2000 polls.

He notably chaired the board of Tanzania Breweries Ltd for many years, chairing the Kilimanjaro Development Forum and serving as Chancellor of Ardhi University for 14 years up to late 2021.

The government was still consulting on the proper funeral arrangements, as the nation prepares to pay last respects to one of its most distinguished leaders.