Tanzania’s vice-president, Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in this morning as the country’s first female head of state following the death of President John Magufuli.
She was sworn in at State House in Dar es Salaam. The new head of state is expected to address the nation after being sworn and hold her first cabinet meeting.
RELATED ARTICLE: Tanzania’s President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli confirmed dead, age 61
Ms Hassan, 61, was first elected as President Magufuli’s running mate in 2015 and was re-elected last year along with him.
Tanzania’s Constitution states that the vice president should take over once a president is dead and serve out the rest of the five-year term.
RELATED ARTICLE: Ngoma Africa Band releases album in praise of Tanzania’s President Magufuli
President Hassan is currently the only female political leader in Africa since the Ethiopian presidency is a largely ceremonial role.