Today marked Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 100th day in office after the death of Dr. John Pombe Magufuli.
In her first 100 days, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been rolling back damaging reputation gathered by the late Magufuli.
For instance, President Suluhu Hassan is steadily steering Tanzania to tackle COVID-19 after months of inaction.
The last published COVID figures in Tanzania are from April 2020. Pressed by DW on when the country will resume sharing data as recommended by the World Health Organization, Mollel defended Tanzania’s position.
“Tanzania never stopped handing over data. The government stopped publishing the statistics in a bid to prevent alarm among the public,” Mollel said, adding that the figures have always been there.
“If we did not have these numbers and had no clue of what is going in the country, we would have been petrified.”
Now the country is putting down measures to control the spread of the third wave of the pandemic.
Freedom of Expression.
She has also pledged to promote freedom of expression.
In one of her most significant political moves, President Suluhu Hassan appointed ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party loyalists and some new faces as district commissioners.
The Citizen, a Tanzanian online daily, described the appointments as a delicate balancing act.
Some of the new appointees include former opposition members, broadcasters, and artists.
Foreign Relations.
Suluhu Hassan has traveled twice to Uganda and made a two-day official visit to Kenya.
The relations between Kenya and Tanzania had earlier been strained under Magufuli’s leadership.
The two countries had disputes on cross-border trade, tariffs, among others.
In Kenya, Suluhu Hassan sought to press the reset button with her counterpart President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In her early speeches, Suluhu Hassan called on foreign direct foreign investment, which in many instances mean changing policies internally.
Previously, Tanzania had suffered sanctions for criticizing massive borrowing by his predecessor.
Tanzanians are hopeful that the fresh breath of air will steer the populous nation into greater heights.
-With Input from DW
