The 66-year-old, who successfully underwent prostate cancer surgery in the United States while serving as president (2005-2015), said presidential obligations did not allow him time to do certain things, but he was now able to adequately enjoy life in retirement.
"There is life after retirement, with more time for things I had less time for, like enjoying quality time with my family, my cattle and farm," Kikwete told his 654,000 Twitter followers in a June 4 post.
The post received over 1,200 retweets and more than 3,300 likes from social media users across the African continent, with many applauding Kikwete for relinquishing power at the end of his second and final term in office.The comments underscore a re-emerging trend in Africa that has seen constitutional term limits for presidents come under threat.
The introduction of term limits for presidents in Africa began in the early 1990s as a response to the continent’s first wave of post-independence leaders who decided to cling to power. Yet, in many cases, those who oversaw the legislative amendments tried to have them changed years later.
Unlike other countries in the region and elsewhere in Africa, Tanzania has enjoyed a peaceful transition of power since 1985 when the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, voluntarily retired from office.Despite being out of office, Kikwete still travels around the world in various capacities, including in his rule as the African Union's (AU) Representative for Libya.
Kikwete recently met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of Libya to discuss the future of the north African country which has been plunged into chaos since the violent overthrow of long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Dozens of people from across Africa applauded Kikwete for retiring peacefully, saying other African leaders should emulate his example.
They cited Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni among leaders who should learn from Kikwete's example and respect presidential term limits.
"Your friend, Museveni, should really hear this from you. He fears to leave State house," said Kule Julius Warrenþ in a Twitter reply to Kikwete's post.
Another social media user who identified herself only as Sabina, said Kikwete was an inspiration to the whole continent.
"Mr President, I can't wait to see this awesome thing in Rwanda where the president serves and leaves the power peacefully," she said.
Another commentator, Zimbo Unchained, pleaded: "Tanzania, can we swap with Mugabe ... Zimbabweans will appreciate."
"At least Africa has some conscious leaders who understand that the role of power is only for serving, not remaining eternally in office," said Ataraxie9.
Jean-Pierre Muchuba told Kikwete, "Our continent needs many (leaders) like you. Especially the French-speaking nations."
A social media user from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said Tanzania was a model for the rest of Africa in observing the rule of law and peaceful transition of power.
"Please Mr President (Kikwete) speak to Kabila and tell him to leave the country in peace ... he is clinging onto power, but the Congolese people are tired of him," said a Twitter user who goes by the name of Nyangi.
