The former Tanzanian President, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, died yesterday, Thursday (29), at the age of 98, from an illness, at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

Mwinyi's death, just three months shy of his 99th birthday, was announced by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Mwinyi was President of Tanzania between 1985 and 1995. He succeeded the first President of the Republic, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

According to the Daily News, the former statesman stood out for introducing multipartyism and easing state control of the Tanzanian economy.

Following his death, President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared seven days of national mourning in honor of Mwinyi, popularly known as "Mzee Rukhsa", during which the flag will be flown at half-mast.