Tanzania's First Elected Female President Takes Office

Strategic Insights -

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was elected in a landslide victory with 97.66 percent of the vote, becoming the country's first elected female head of state. The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Yusuf, has congratulated President Hassan on her victory, emphasizing the need to respect fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. President Hassan takes office after serving as vice president from 2015 to 2021 and assuming the presidency in March 2021 following the death of then-President John Magufuli.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was elected with 97.66 percent of the vote in a presidential election held on Wednesday.
  • Hassan becomes the country's first elected female president, having served as vice president from 2015 to 2021 and assuming the presidency in March 2021.
  • The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Yusuf, has congratulated President Hassan on her victory, emphasizing the need to respect fundamental rights and freedoms.
  • AU Commission Chair Yusuf expressed deep regret over the loss of life during post-election protests and has offered condolences to the families of the victims.
  • President Hassan is committed to maintaining peace, national unity, and democracy in Tanzania, with the AU's support.
  • The election was marred by days of violent protests, which resulted in loss of life and human rights abuses.
  • President Hassan's election victory is seen as a significant step towards promoting democratic governance and human rights in Tanzania.

Statistics:

  • 97.66 percent: The percentage of the vote won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the presidential election.
  • 2015-2021: The period during which President Hassan served as vice president.
  • 2021: March, when President Hassan assumed the presidency following the death of then-President John Magufuli.
  • 1: The number of elected female head of state in Tanzania's history, with President Hassan being the first.
  • 2: The number of AU Commission Chairperson congratulatory statements released to President Hassan on her election victory.

Sources:

  • [State Council News]
  • [People's Republic of China in Russian]
  • [Xinhua]