The first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, stepped down from the position last year after almost three decades in power, tested positive for the coronavirus.
A statement on his official website made the announcement on Thursday. “Currently, the First President of Kazakhstan is in self-isolation. Unfortunately, the last test… for the coronavirus infection showed a positive result. There is no cause for concern,” the statement said.
The statement said that Nazarbayev is “continuing to work remotely.”
Nazarbayev, who turns 80 next month, served as Kazakhstan’s president for close to three decades before handing the reins over to hand-picked successor Kassym-Jomart Tokayev last year.
He retains numerous powerful positions in the authoritarian Central Asian country together with the chairmanships of the national security council and the ruling party.
He’s also constitutionally honoured as the “Leader of the Nation” — a designation that provides him with distinctive policymaking privileges.
Meanwhile, President John Magufuli of Tanzania on Monday June 8, declared the East African nation “coronavirus-free”.
The President who attributed the claimed success over the worldwide pandemic to prayers and fasting that the individuals of Tanzania offered to God, additionally recommended the priest and worshippers for not wearing gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus.
