VP Samia Suluhu to Become Tanzania and East Africa's First Female President

Category: World News

Tanzania's Vice-President, Samia Suluhu Hassan is about to become the first female President in East Africa. This is coming following the passing away of president John Pombe Magufuli who died yesterday, 17 March 2021.

According to the country's constitution, the Vice-President takes over.

She will be ruling till 2025 as the sixth president of Tanzania.

She will also become Tanzania's first female President.

The 61-year-old will also be the first head of the country from the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar.

The Tanzania Constitution states that the vice president takes over as president if the office of the president becomes vacant: “Where the office of President becomes vacant by reason of death, then the Vice-President shall be sworn in and become the president for the unexpired period of the term of five years.”

Hon Samia is married to Hafidh Ameir, a retired agriculture office and they have three children.

Her only daughter, Mwanu Hafidh Ameir is a member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.