Tanzania: Isaac Sepetu Dies in Dar es Salaam

                                                mr Issac sepetu and his family
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete sent a condolence message yesterday to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr Bernard Membe in connection with the death of a seasoned diplomat and politician, Ambassador Isaac Sepetu.
"I have received with shock and great sadness the news on the death of Ambassador Sepetu... I wish to send you my condolences over the loss of the diplomat and one of the bravest leaders our country has ever had," President Kikwete wrote to Mr Membe in the message, a copy of which was availed to the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam.
He added: "Through you, I wish to send my condolences to family members of the deceased who have lost the family leader. I ask them to remain calm and tolerant particularly at this trying moment."
President Kikwete described the late Sepetu as a hard working diplomat and politician, who had high leadership talent and who demonstrated a high level of trust and credibility in all positions that he held.
The late Sepetu succumbed to diabetes and stroke on Sunday at TMJ hospital where he was rushed for treatment.
During his life time, Ambassador Sepetu occupied various senior positions in the government, among them was that of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in the First Phase Government and Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism in the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government in the 1970's.
He was also appointed as Minister of State, economy and Planning, in the Zanzibar government under Dr Salmin Amour in the 1990's.
He also represented Tanzania as ambassador in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the former United Soviet Socialist Republics, the current Russia.
Ambassador Sepetu will be laid to rest on Wednesday in Zanzibar at Mbozini area, according to the spokesperson of the family, Aman Isaac Sepetu.