Tanzania mourns the loss of former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, who passed away on Saturday afternoon at the age of 70 after battling a prolonged illness. Vice President Philip Mpango confirmed the sad news, announcing Lowassa’s demise on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Lowassa breathed his last at 2:00 p.m. local time at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, where he had been undergoing medical treatment. Mpango revealed that Lowassa had been suffering from multiple health issues, including bowel obstruction, lung ailment, and high blood pressure.
In recognition of Lowassa’s dedicated service to the nation, President Hassan has declared five days of national mourning. As a sign of respect, national flags across the country will be flown at half-mast, commencing from Saturday.
“Tanzania has lost a brave leader who has been in public service for 35 years,” expressed President Hassan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Edward Lowassa, a prominent figure in Tanzanian politics, served as Prime Minister from 2005 to 2008. Throughout his illustrious career, Lowassa made significant contributions to the nation’s development and governance, leaving a lasting impact on Tanzania’s political landscape.
As the nation mourns the loss of a distinguished leader, tributes pour in from across Tanzania and beyond, honoring Edward Lowassa’s legacy and unwavering commitment to public service.
