Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday strode into the annals of history as Tanzania’s first woman president at a ceremony held at State House, Dar es Salam.
Draped in a bright red hijab contrasting her black skirt suit, Suluhu paid glowing tribute to her predecessor, the late President John Pombe Magufuli, pledging to defend the Constitution and fulfill the promises of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party made to the people.
Just hours earlier, Suluhu had broken news of Magufuli’s death to the nation. Yesterday, she addressed the nation once again, this time as president, moments after being sworn into office by Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma.
The solemn short event was witnessed by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi, former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Cabinet members, National Assembly Speaker Job Ndugai, diplomats and religious leaders among other dignitaries.
The soft spoken, first Muslim female president in East Africa, eulogised Magufuli as a staunch Christian, a doer and a true patriot, even as she rallied Tanzanians to put aside their differences and chart a new path.
Nothing will go wrong
She promised to ensure the vision of Magufuli to transform Tanzania to a destination of choice, spur development and improve the economy will be realised and pledged to remain true to the Pan Africanist dream of the continents’ founding fathers.
“There is no vacuum in the succession structure in governance as it has been clearly stipulated in our constitution when a president dies in office.
We have observed the succession tradition set by Mzee Julius Nyerere and first Zanzibar President Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume and I intend to do so,” guaranteed President Suluhu.
She stated, “I promise nothing will go wrong on the leadership styles. I guarantee everyone that we are steadfast and will defend the constitution and rule within the law.”
The 61-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Mama Samia’, credited Magufuli for his teachings and guidance that prepared her for the unfortunate turn of events, which has seen her succeed him.
“I have taken many oaths in my life amid jubilation but this one is unique. It was not anticipated. I didn’t expect I would ever take an oath of the top most office in the land under this condition, at a time the country is mourning and dark clouds hang on the citizens,” she said.
In her inaugural speech, she urged Tanzanians to bear with her for mourning her friend, teacher and boss, wiping away a tear, as she promised to engage them later on matters affecting the country.
Dealt a blow
She recalled how she got the sad news of the demise of Magufuli on March 17 while on official duty in Tanga and carried the heavy load, tasked with the delivery of the devastating news to Tanzanians and the world.
“For the first time, I found a chance to address the nation on the tragic loss of our fallen hero. No one anticipates the death of a president. We never even thought of it and the experience is historic in Tanzania,” she confessed.
She added, “We have never experienced a sitting president die in office and the vice assumes office. Tanzania has been dealt a blow. Losing a selfless, dedicated, loving and a patriotic leader like Magufuli is not easy. The gap left is big.”
Earlier, President Suluhu and her team had made their way to State House some minutes past 10am, where she immediately took the oath of office.
Just like her former boss, no one in her entourage wore a mask or observed social distance, a true reflection of her leadership style mirroring that of Magufuli.
Retired presidents Kikwete and Mwinyi however stood out at the event, as they wore masks.
Suluhu was later accompanied by the PM, President Mwinyi and the Speaker, as she went to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the military, complete with a 21-gun salute within the prescints of State House and witnessed the hoisting of the presidential Standard.
She then joined the rest of participants waiting inside State House, where the military led in singing the National Anthem and that of the East Africa Community (EAC).
Yesterday’s events marked the beginning of President Suluhu’s tenure to serve the remainder of Magufuli’s term till 2025 and an option to defend the seat once for five years as provided for in Article 40 (40) of the Constitution.
She pledged to diligently fulfill the promises her party made to Tanzanians during their campaign for re-election last year.
“I urge Tanzanians to have the heart of patience and love. It is a difficult time but we are steadfast and will pull through together. I will defend the law I have sworn to,” she promised.
She added, “Magufuli taught me a lot and prepared me well. He was patriotic and loved this country. His focus was development mainly in major infrastructure projects he initiated and championing the Pan Africanist agenda.”
She also mourned with Magufuli’s wife Janet, mother Susan, children and family, promising full support during this trying moment as she announced burial plans which kick off today with public viewing of the body at Uhuru grounds in Dar El Salam.
“I convey my condolences to family. I recognise the hole left in the family,” she stated.
The President said Magufuli will be laid to rest on Thursday, March 25, in Chato District and declared the day a public holiday as well the 22nd when the body will be viewed in Dodoma.
She later retreated to meet the cabinet after the swearing in ceremony.
The President will meet the CCM National Executive Council for a special session today at the party headquarters in Lulumba Dar es Salaam to kick start the process of nominating the Vice President. Magufuli was party chairman from 2016 until his demise.
Little was known of President Suluhu under Magufuli leadership, her calm demeanor portrays her a complete contrast of President Magufuli.
However, insiders have described her as the ‘engine’ of his presidency.
She was the ‘police’ who ensured his voice was heard across the nation as well as the PM.
First elected as Magufuli’s running mate in 2015, after he nominated her in July, she was re-elected last year along with him and, according to the constitution, she should serve out the rest of the five-year term in the top job.
Suluhu was a surprise choice for a running mate in 2015, leaping over several other more prominent politicians in the CCM party cutting a figure of a ‘softie’.
However, at a recent interview with an international news channel, she dispels the notion, saying she should not be underrated based on her soft spokeness, as she gets things done.
President Suluhu becomes Africa’s only current Executive female political leader as the Ethiopian presidency is a largely ceremonial role and joins a short list of women on the continent to hold the position. Ethiopia’s current president is Sahle-Work Zewde.
Sylvie Kiningi, a Burundi politician, became the first female president in Africa when she formed a caretaker government after a military coup killed President Melchior Ndadaye. She also served as Burundi’s prime minister between 1993 and 1994.
Other women that have held top positions on the continent include former Liberia president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Malawi’s former head of state Joyce Banda and Catherine Samba-Panza who served as interim president of Central African Republic between 2014 to 2016.
Suluhu was first elected to a public office in 2000 as a nominated MP representing special seats in Zanzibar.
She came to national prominence in 2014 as the vice-chairperson of the Constituent Assembly, created to draft a new constitution.
With her assumption of office, focus now shifts to the choice of the VP to replace her and at the same time not upset the succession politics initiated by Mzee Julius Nyerere.
Article 50(4) of the constitution, mandates the President within 14 days from the day the office falls vacant to appoint a person with the approval of parliament, requiring a majority of members or 50 percent.
Tanzania has 393 MPs, out of which CMM has 287, opposition 103, other one while two seats are vacant.
