Tanzania has made history in the midst of national mourning as it sworn-in its first ever female President, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Madam Hassan, aged 61, takes over from her late predecessor, President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, who died from heart complications around 5:30pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
What African Entertainment knows about Samia Suluhu Hassan so far?
She becomes the 6th President of Tanzania after her swearing-in on Friday morning, March 19, 2021, at the State House in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
Madam Hassan was born in Zanzibar on January 27, 1960 and is a Sultanate of Zanzibar.
She is not only the first female President of Tanzania but the first Tanzanian President to be born in Zanzibar. Zanzibar is the archipelago forming part of the union of Tanzania.
She got married to Hafidh Ameir in 1978 and has a child named Mwanu Hafidh Ameir.
Madam Hassan had her higher education at the University of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University, among others.
She is a member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
She is affectionately known across Tanzania as Mama Samia.
In 2015, she became a surprise choice for the role of Mr. Magufuli’s running-mate when she leaped over many more politicians in the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party.
She was initially elected into public office in 2000. And she came to the limelight nationally in 2014 as the vice-chairperson of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly was formed to draft a new constitution.
She earned praises from across Tanzania for the calm manner with which she handled some of the conflicts that broke out during the drafting of the new constitution of Tanzania.
In terms of personality, she is widely seen as a sharp contrast with Mr. Magufuli. While Mr. Magufuli was seen as impulsive and not afraid to speak his mind, she is seen to be more thoughtful and considered.
Tanzanians generally see her to be a good listener who believes in the right procedures.
She is also seen as a soft-spoken consensus builder.
Note: some details were sourced from Wikipedia in compiling the above report.
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