61-year-old Samia Suluhu Hassan has sworn in as Tanzania’s first female president after the sudden death of John Magufuli. The inauguration was witnessed by members of the Cabinet and Tanzania’s former presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Jakaya Kikwete and Abeid Karume.
Under the constitution, Hassan will serve the remainder of Magufuli’s second five-year term until 2025. She must consult the party about appointing a new vice president.
Hassan’s inauguration comes two days after she announced the death of President John Magufuli, who had not been seen in public for more than two weeks. In her first public address, she announced 21 days of mourning for Magufuli and public holidays on March 22 and on his burial day which will be on March 25.
Hailing from Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous island in the Indian Ocean, Hassan rose through the ranks over a 20-year political career from local government to the national assembly.
A stalwart in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), she was named Magufuli’s running mate in the 2015 presidential campaign. The pair were re-elected in October last year in a disputed poll marred by allegations of irregularities.
She is the only other current serving female head of state in Africa alongside Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde, whose role is mainly ceremonial.¨