CAUSE OF DEATH: Tanzania’s former Foreign minister, Bernard Kamilius Membe, has died aged 69 at a hospital in Dar es Salaam

Tanzania’s former Foreign minister Bernard Kamilius Membe has died aged 69 at a hospital in Dar es Salaam where he had been rushed in the early hours of Friday.

Sources said he had chest complications, but the cause of death is still unclear.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised Membe as a dedicated civil servant and diplomat in her condolence message.

Tributes have poured in for the late minister, with many people highlighting his contributions to Tanzanian diplomacy. His supporters mourn his passing as a loss to the country’s political sphere, while his opponents continue to criticize him for his alleged role in corrupt activities.

President Hassan’s condolence message acknowledged Membe’s contributions to the country, noting that he was a brilliant public servant, diplomat, Member of Parliament, and minister who served Tanzania with professionalism.

“I have received with sadness the news of the death of Bernard Membe. For more than 40 years, Membe was a brilliant public servant, diplomat, Member of Parliament and minister who served our country professionally,” she said in a tweet.

Membe served as the Foreign Affairs minister from 2007 to 2015 under the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete’s administration and had been tipped to succeed him as president in the 2015 general election but was edged out in favour of John Pombe Magufuli.