VP Becomes Tanzania’s New President, Urges ‘Burying Differences’

Samia Suluhu Hassan has made history as the first female president of Tanzania.

Ms. Samia has been sworn in by the Chief Justice, Ibrahim Juma at State House in Dar es Salaam.

She becomes the sixth president of Tanzania following Wednesday’s death of President John Pombe Magufuli from heart-related complications.

The 61-year-old served as President Magufuli’s deputy from 2015 until his death.

The Tanzania constitution stipulates that she should serve his remaining five-year term.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s newly sworn-in President Samia Suluhu Hassan has spoken of the “heavy load” on her shoulders as she takes over as the country’s first female president.

Ms Samia used her inaugural speech to urge for “burying of differences” and repeatedly gave assurance of stability.

She said it was no longer time “to point fingers” and urged for unity during the mourning period.

Addressing a packed hall at State House in Dar es Salaam, the new president said she had been sufficiently prepared for the role by her predecessor John Magufuli who died on Wednesday of a “heart condition”.

Ms Samia has been vice-president under Mr Magufuli since 2015.

She described her predecessor as a patriot who was committed to transforming Tanzania.

Bbc/ Net