Tanzania’s President Faces Growing Pressure as Three MPs Die and Covid-19 Cases Surge

Tanzania’s president, John Magufuli, is under mounting pressure following the deaths of three members of parliament within just 11 days, amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases. The unusual string of deaths has fueled speculation that the lawmakers may have contracted the virus, prompting renewed criticism of the government’s response to the pandemic.

The country’s main opposition party, Chadema, has called for the immediate suspension of parliament and instructed its MPs to self-isolate for two weeks. “Members of the Chadema Party should immediately stop attending parliamentary sessions and avoid parliament offices,” party chairman Freeman Mbowe said in a statement on Friday.

Among those who died were Justice Minister Augustine Mahiga, who passed away on Friday morning, Richard Ndassa on April 29, and Gertrude Rwakatare on April 20. Despite the high-profile nature of these deaths, government officials have not confirmed whether any were linked to Covid-19, fueling public concern and speculation.

Tanzania’s leadership has faced criticism for its unusually relaxed approach to the pandemic compared with neighboring countries. While most African governments have imposed lockdowns and banned large gatherings, President Magufuli—a devout Christian—has allowed churches and mosques to remain open, insisting that worship is a source of “true healing.” He has even described the virus as a shetani (demon), a stance that public health experts warn downplays the severity of the pandemic and risks worsening the outbreak.

Magufuli’s response comes just months before Tanzania’s general elections, where he is expected to seek re-election as the ruling party’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi candidate. His handling of the crisis may provide an opening for the opposition, which has yet to win a national election but could capitalize on growing public discontent.

The government has also faced backlash on social media for its failure to provide daily updates, leading to accusations of concealing the true extent of the outbreak. Official figures put Tanzania’s case count at 480 infections and 16 deaths, though many believe the real numbers are much higher.

Tanzania is not alone in witnessing the pandemic’s toll on political figures. Across Africa, several leaders and senior officials have tested positive or died from Covid-19. Guinea-Bissau’s Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam and three cabinet ministers have tested positive, while Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari lost his influential chief of staff, Abba Kyari, to the virus.