Samia Suluhu Hassan, the new President of Tanzania

On Friday, March 19, Samia Suluhu Hassan officially became President of Tanzania. The former state’s vice-president will rule the country until 2025, replacing John Magufuli whose death was announced on Wednesday, March 17.

By taking the oath of office this Friday, Samia Suluhu Hassan becomes the first woman to lead Tanzania. The 61-year-old from the Zanzibar archipelago was, since 2015, Vice-President of Tanzania. Holder of a master’s degree in “Community Economic Development” from the Free University of Tanzania in Dar Salam and the University of Southern New Hampshire, she began her professional career in the government of Zanzibar (archipelago of Tanzania) in 1977, notably at the Ministry of Planning and Development soon after her secondary studies. Until 1987, she held administrative positions and became a development officer. At the same time, she pursued her studies. In 1986, she graduated from the Institute of Development Management in « Public Administration ».

In 1988, she joined the World Food Program (WFP) where she worked until 1997, notably as a project manager. She resumed her studies in 1992 and obtained a postgraduate degree in economics from the University of Manchester in 1994. She then headed the Angoza Archipelago NGO Association for two years.

An extensive political career

Her political career began in 2000 when she was selected to join the Zanzibar House of Representatives by the Tanzanian Presidential Party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). She was also appointed by then-President Amani Abeid Karume as Minister of Women and Youth Affairs. In 2005, she was appointed Minister of Tourism and Trade.

In 2010, she ran for the National Assembly in Makunduchi constituency and won with over 80% of the votes. She was then appointed Minister of State for Union Affairs. In 2014, she became the vice-president of the Constituent Assembly in charge of drafting Tanzania’s new constitution. She resumed her studies in 2015 and obtained a Master’s degree in Community Economic Development from the University of Tanzania and the University of New Hampshire. In 2015, John Magufuli, the CMM candidate, chose her to run together for the presidency of Tanzania. She became the country’s first female vice-president. In October 2020, he ran again, still with her as vice-president.

On 17 March 2021, she announced the death of President Magufuli and was sworn in on 19 March to assume the presidency of the country until the end of the mandate in 2025. 

She is now, along with Ethiopian President Sahle Work Zewe, one of the few women currently leading their countries in Africa.