The Tanzanian President John Magufuli, aka “the Bulldozzer”, died on Wednesday of heart problems after more than five years as head of the East African state.

Reelected last October for a second term, John Magufuli, 61, last appeared in public more than two weeks ago, on February 27, and lingering rumors were circulating about his state of health.

“It is with great regret that I inform you that today, March 17, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., we have lost our courageous leader, the President of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli,” announced Samia Suluhu Hassan on the television.

The vice-president clarified that the head of state had suffered from heart problems for 10 years.

He was admitted on March 6 to the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute in Dar es Salaam, but was released the next day.

On March 14, he felt ill again and was admitted to Emilio Mzena Hospital, a government facility.

“The organization of the funeral is underway (…) Our country will be in mourning for a period of 14 days and the flags will be at half mast,” said Samia Suluhu Hassan.

John Magufuli, nicknamed the “Bulldozer”, came to power in 2015 promising to fight the endemic corruption that infuriates the population.

According to many human rights organizations, his first term was also marked by an authoritarian drift, repeated attacks on the opposition and the decline in fundamental freedoms.

His re-election in October, in a context of strong repression, had also been rejected by the opposition, which was crying out for fraud.