The Government and People of the Republic of Rwanda have been deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Tanzania’s 5th President Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, which occurred on March 17, 2021 as announced on State Television (TBC) by the country's then Vice President, Samia Suluhu who has since been sworn in as a substantive President of Tanzania for the remaining years of the term for which Magufuli had been elected.

 
While addressing the Nation, H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, declared a period of national mourning in honor of the late President John Magufuli during which Rwanda’s National Flag and the Flag of the East African Community will fly at half-mast on all Rwandan territory including diplomatic missions abroad. The period of mourning will last until the late President Magufuli is buried.

 
 “We are saddened by the loss of my brother and friend, President Magufuli. His contribution to his country and to our region will not be forgotten; my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Tanzania. The people of Rwanda stand with Tanzania during this difficult time.” eulogized President Paul Kagame.

On Monday, March 22nd 2021, Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Édouard Ngirente led a high level delegation representing President Paul Kagame in the late President Magufuli’s State Funeral which took place in Tanzania’s Capital, Dodoma at the Jamhuri Stadium. 

The event was presided over by the country’s new President, Mrs. Samia Suluhu Hassan and was attended by several other Heads of State and Government from within EAC and SADC regions.

In his condolence message, Dr. Édouard Ngirente said that "On behalf of H.E President Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and on behalf of People and Government of the Republic of Rwanda, I would like to extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the People and Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the loss of the patriotic leader, His Excellency Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli,".

Adding that, the Government of Rwanda has had a privilege of working closely with the deceased leader not only as an East African Community integration champion but also as a great contributor to strengthening the Rwanda-Tanzania bilateral relations; his legacy will always be remembered.

The late President Magufuli will be remembered for the love he had for his country and the good Tanzania-Rwanda bilateral cooperation he helped revamp whereby upon his election for the first term in 2015, the late made his maiden foreign trip to Rwanda just a few days after he was sworn in and since then, a number of bilateral cooperation initiatives have been devised and development of others still underway.