Former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, known for introducing a multi-party political system to the East African nation, passed away at the age of 98. His death was announced by the current President Samia Suluhu Hassan on state television.
President Hassan informed the public that Mwinyi died in the evening after battling lung cancer. Mwinyi had spent time in a London hospital in November before returning to Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, for ongoing treatment.
Tanzania has commenced a seven-day period of mourning, during which national flags will be flown at half-mast to honor the late president.
Mwinyi was chosen by Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president, as his successor. When Mwinyi took office, he inherited a country suffering from economic difficulties due to failed socialist policies. He was instrumental in shifting the nation’s economy by lifting restrictions on private businesses and improving the importation process, which earned him the nickname “Mzee Rukhsa,” meaning “Mr. Permission” in Swahili.
Born on May 8, 1925, Mwinyi pursued Islamic studies in Zanzibar, although his initial career was in teaching. He ventured into politics in the 1960s, holding various governmental positions, including ambassador to Egypt and ministerial roles, before becoming president of Zanzibar and eventually Tanzania.
While Mwinyi was praised for transitioning Tanzania to a multi-party democracy in 1992, his administration faced issues. He was criticized for apparently favoring Muslims in government appointments and for economic liberalization policies that were accompanied by widespread corruption scandals. This led to some international donors suspending aid in 1994.
After retiring from politics in 1995, Mwinyi maintained a low profile. In a 2021 memoir, President Hassan lauded him for his leadership, despite Mwinyi’s criticisms of the “ujamaa” policy, which he claimed harmed small-scale traders.
