Tanzania’s Former President Benjamin Mkapa has died in the early hours of Friday.

Former President Benjamin served from 1995 to 2005 for 10 years. The former president was born in 1938 to a poor family in south-eastern Mtwara.

Mkapa, 81, the East African nation’s third president who lead several meditation efforts in office and afterward, died at a hospital in the country’s commercial hug, Dr es Salaam while receiving treatment.

President John Pombe Magufuli declared a seven-days of mourning. All flags will be flown at half-mast during the period.

Mkapa also served as an ambassador, minister, and key official of the ruling CCM party.

He is survived by a  widow Anna and two sons.