Samia Suluhu Hassan Becomes the 6th President of Tanzania

Samia Hassan sworn in as the sixth President of Tanzania at State House, Dar es Salaam following the death of President John Pombe Magufuli.

She becomes the first female president of Tanzania and in East Africa as well as the fourth executive President in Africa ever, and the fifth in general.

At the age of 61, she is set to complete Magufuli’s term until 2025.

Magufuli who had made a name as Africa’s most vocal COVID-19 sceptic president recently succumbed to a heart disease in Dar Es Salaam, after a more than a two-week absence from public life that drew speculation about his health.

Described as a soft-spoken consensus-builder, Hassan will also be the country’s first president born in Zanzibar, the archipelago that forms part of the union of the Republic of Tanzania.

Her leadership style is seen as a potential contrast from Magufuli, a brash populist who earned the nickname ‘Bulldozer’ for muscling through policies and who drew criticism for his intolerance of dissent, which his government denied.

Education

Samia Suluhu Hassan received Primary Education in different schools including Chwaka Primary School in Unguja from 1966 to 1968, Ziwani Primary school in Pemba from 1970 to 1971, and Mahonda Primary School in Unguja in 1972.

From 1973 to 1975  Samia joined Ngambo & Lumumba Secondary School in Unguja. After secondary education in 1977, she joined The Zanzibar Institute of Financial Administration (ZIFA) for Statistics studies. After studies, she was employed by the Ministry of Planning & Development.

In 1986 she joined the Institute of Development Management- IDM (present Mzumbe University) in Morogoro for advanced studies in Public Administration. After various studies in Tanzania  Samia joined the National Institute of Public Administration in Lahore, Pakistan.

In 1991 she joined the Institute of Management for Leaders, Hyderabad in India for a Certificate Management Course. After studies in 1992, she was employed in a Project funded by the World Food Programme (WFP).

Between 1992 and 1994, she attended the University of Manchester & graduated with a PGDip in economics. In 2004 -2005, she progressed to a Masters in Community Development through a joint-programme btn the Open University of Tanzania & the Southern New Hampshire University, USA.

Road to Presidency

In 2000 Samia was elected as a member of the Zanzibar House of Representative for special seat & appointed as Minister by President Amani Karume. She was the only high-ranking woman Minister in the Cabinet. In 2005 she was re-elected & appointed as a Minister in another portfolio

In 2010, she sought election to the National Assembly, she won by more than 80% standing in the parliament representing Makunduchi constituency. In 2014 President of United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya Kikwete appointed her as a Minister of State for Union Matters.

In 2014 Samia was elected the Vice Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly tasked with drafting the country’s new constitution.

In July 2015, the Ruling Party (CCM) Presidential nomenee John Magufuli chose her as his running mate for the 2015 General election, making her the first female running mate in the party’s history.

On 5th November 2015, she was sworn in as the 10th Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania under President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli.

Marital Status

She is married to Hafidh Ameir, tying the knot in 1978, a union that has been blessed by one daughter and three sons. Ameir is a retired agriculture officer and is currently a consultant. Their children are in careers ranging from business to information technology.