Dar es Salaam (GNB): Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Friday as Tanzania’s first female president after the sudden death of John Magufuli from a heart condition called atrial fibrillation.
Several past and current leaders were present as she took the oath of office to become the Sixth president.
This was the first time Tanzania’s top leadership has changed hands without having an election.
Those present included former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Ali Hassan Mwinyi, also present were the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Speaker of Parliament Job Ndugai, Chief Justice Ibrahim Hamis Juma and many others.
The 61-year-old, dressed in black suit and red headscarf, took the oath of office in Dar es Salaam before inspecting a guard of honour and receiving a 21-gun salute.
“I, Samia Suluhu Hassan, promise to be honest and obey and protect the constitution of Tanzania,” she said before a room of dignitaries, who applauded when the brief ceremony was complete.
Under the constitution, Hassan will serve the remainder of Magufuli’s second five-year term, which does not expire until 2025.
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.
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