On 17th March the president of the
Republic of Tanzania John Pombe Magufuli succumbed to heart-related
complications. Announcing yesterday day night, the vice president Samia Hassan
Suluhu said the president was admitted and died while receiving treatment in
the hospital in Dar El Salam.
The death of president Magufuli is
set to bring a historical reign in Tanzania that has been having presidents
under elections and make dominated leadership.
Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan
sworn in as president on Friday, as the new president-elect of Tanzania after
the demise of President Magufuli On Wednesday. The soft-Spoken Vice president
set to take office as stated in Tanzania’s constitution for the remainder of
the term.
“I, Samia Suluhu Hassan, promise to
be honest and obey and protect the constitution of Tanzania,” said Hassan,
before dignitaries at a ceremony in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
With all eyes focused on her leadership
style, many predict a different style from that of her predecessor President
Magufuli. The major focus being on how her government is will handle the
current Corona Virus pandemic that is being experienced globally.
Magufuli’s reign saw neglect on efforts
on the fight against Covid-19, there were minimum protective measures on the
fight against the virus with president Magufuli showing no interest in the
acquisition of vaccines for its population.
Tanzania remained low-key on its
Corona Virus statistics and in June 2020 and opened all the events including
sporting events and urged Tanzanians to work and pray against the virus. Many
labeled him a ‘rebel’ because he was a scientist.
Early this year after the death of
senior government officials succumbed to Corona. He urged Tanzanians to wear
masks recommended by the ministry of health.
Magufuli being adamant and firm with
less diplomatic efforts, Samia Hassan is in contrast to her predecessor, she is
termed diplomatic and more engaging and accommodating even to contrary
opinions.
During her inaugural speech, she
urged unity and burying of hatchets. This comes after the immediate
announcement of president Magufuli’s death, Opposition leader Tundu Lisu
stating on his socials of calling new elections.
“This is a time to bury our
differences, and be one as a nation,” she said adding, “This is not a time for
finger-pointing, but it is a time to hold hands and move forward
together.”
Suluhu Hassan has not been afraid to
go against the stands of her party in the past: In 2017, she visited opposition
leader Tundu Lissu at a Nairobi hospital following an assassination attempt,
with many speculating that state forces were involved.
Pictures of their meeting made
headlines across Tanzania and caused a stir amongst CCM party members.
Opposition leaders have fled the
country during Magufuli’s leadership and assassinations among other human
rights being undermined and neglected expected to have a turn during the new
reign of Samia as well as respect to the rights of Media and its practitioners.
Many anticipating that her reign wouldn’t be similar to Magufuli’s reign that
was criticized for being divisive and even seeing those with different
political stands fleeing the country for safety.
Speaking to DW, Tanzania’s Activist
Maria Sarungi tells of Tanzanians not expecting much soon from her as much as
they have huge expectations and a change of guard termed as ‘dictatorial’ since
she still originates and stands with the ruling party CCM.
“I think the expectations of
Tanzanians are very huge. Tanzanians are very eager to open up a new chapter
after a very dark, controversial, and extremely divisive five- and a – half
years of John Magufuli,” said Hassan.
Discussion about this post