We will work together and bring EAC together, says Uhuru
His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta paid his respects to the late president John Pombe Magufuli in Tanzania saying the two countries will work together.
Uhuru, who is also the East African Community(EAC) chairman, said Magufuli was both respected in Tanzania, the Africa continent and the world at large.
He spoke at Dodoma on Monday during the state funeral of President Magufuli.
“We will work together and bring EAC together and I have no doubt that my sister, President Suluhu, you have been shown the road, it has been opened, go ahead,” Uhuru said.
He urged President Samia Suluhu to be confident and courageous in her new role as the country’s leader.
He also eulogised Magufuli as a leader who showed Africa it could do without foreign aid from donors in developed countries.
He said that Magufuli believed Tanzania could remove itself from the over dependence on foreign aid.
“We are able as Africans to manage our economy and ensure citizens get their rights,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru cited developments spurred by Magufuli such as roads, airports and access to electricity.
He said Magufuli’s projects will help Tanzania and the larger EAC improve trade and boost unity.
Presidents present during the state funeral of President Magufuli include; South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera, Botswana’s Mokgweetsi Masisi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
Others are Zambia’s Edgar Lungu, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and DR Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi.
Magufuli died of heart disease on Wednesday at the Emilio Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
He will be buried in his native home in Chato district in Geita region on March 26.
He leaves behind widow Janet, seven children and 10 grandchildren.
