Tanzania’s Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to take over the country’s leadership as the first female president following the death of President John Magufuli. – By Sharon Maina
The 61-year-old vice-president is from the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, which is about 99 per cent Muslim. She was the 10th Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who assumed office on November 5, 2015, under President John Pombe Magufuli.
Previously, she was the Minister of State, in the office of the Vice President in charge of Union Affairs. In 2000, she decided to join politics and was elected as a special seat member to the Zanzibar House of Representatives and was appointed a minister by President Amani Karume.
According to the Tanzanian Constitution; “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.”
From the rules of the Tanzanian constitution it shows that Samia is to be naturally sworn in as the president to finish John Magufuli’s term. If this happens she’ll definitely make history as she will be the first female president.
