The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has announced the death of former Prime Minister and First Vice President, David Cleopa Msuya, which occurred on May 7, 2025, at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
President Samia stated that Msuya passed away due to heart-related illness, for which he had been receiving treatment at various times at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and hospitals in the London, United Kingdom.
Msuya, who died at the age of 94, served as the Prime Minister of Tanzania during two non-consecutive terms—first under the late President Julius Nyerere’s administration, and later under the late President Al Hassan Mwinyi.
His first term as Prime Minister was from 1980 to 1983, and he later held the same position again from 1994 to 1995. During this second term, he also served as the country’s First Vice President.
Msuya’s political journey began in 1972 after years of service in government. He had completed his studies at Makerere University in 1955 and began his career as a community development officer. In 1964, he started serving as a permanent secretary in various ministries before being appointed as a cabinet minister.
He was first appointed Minister of Finance in 1972, and later served in the Ministry of Industry, where he held leadership roles in different periods until 1994.
He is remembered for his significant contributions in 1977 as Minister of Industry, during which he played a key role in helping Tanzania address the industrial production gap caused by the collapse of the East African Community and the closure of the Tanzania-Kenya border. That dispute had disrupted Tanzania’s access to essential goods that had been imported from Kenya under the East African Community framework.
In Tanzania’s first multi-party election in 1995, Msuya contested for the presidency during the internal nomination process within the ruling party, CCM. Although he was not successful—falling behind in a competitive race that included Jakaya Kikwete and Benjamin Mkapa—he remained active in politics. Mkapa went on to become the CCM flagbearer and was elected President in 1995.
Despite not securing the presidency, Msuya continued to serve as Member of Parliament for Same constituency, his birthplace, until he retired in 2000. He remained active within CCM as a retiree.
Further details regarding Msuya’s funeral have not yet been released. However, President Samia has declared a seven-day national mourning period, from May 7 to May 13, 2025. During this period, national flags will be flown at half-mast.
“I extend my condolences to his family, friends, relatives, and all Tanzanians for this great national loss,” said President Samia.
