Former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi has died aged 98, President Samia Suluhu has revealed.

Mwinyi, who served as Tanzania's second president between 1985 and 1995, was hospitalised in early February with his family stating that he was receiving treatment for a chest illness.

“With advice from his doctors, the family has decided that it is good that he gets privacy while receiving treatment. The family asks the public to pray for him,” said family spokesperson and son of the former leader Abdullah Mwinyi then.

Mwinyi joined Afro Shiraz Party (ASP) in 1964 and held different positions for the Government of Zanzibar and United Republic of Tanzania such as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education of Zanzibar in 1963.

In 1970 he was appointed Minister of State in the President’s Office of the United Republic of Tanzania and between 1982-83 he was Minister of Health, Home Affairs, Natural Resources and Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Egypt from 1977 to 1982

In 1983 he was appointed Minister of State in Vice President’s Office and in 1984 he was elected the President of Zanzibar and Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania.