Samia Suluhu Sworn in as Tanzania’s President

Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially been sworn in as President for a new term, following the country’s October 29 general election. The ceremony took place on Monday at State House in Dodoma, with attendance restricted to invited guests only.

Suluhu, 65, will be deputised by Emmanuel Nchimbi. Her inauguration happened while internet restrictions remained in place across the country, after days of protests over the election outcome.

The main opposition party, Chadema, rejected the election results, describing the vote as a “sham” after the party was barred from participating. The electoral commission announced that Suluhu won with 98 per cent of the vote.

Reports of unrest have surfaced, with Chadema claiming that hundreds of people were killed in clashes with security forces. However, the government dismissed the figures as “hugely exaggerated” and maintained that the country remains stable. Authorities also imposed a curfew in Dar es Salaam, with security officials warning against any attempts to disrupt peace.

President Suluhu has been in office since 2021, when she assumed leadership following the death of former President John Magufuli. She is the first woman to serve as President of Tanzania and the first Tanzanian President born in Zanzibar. A veteran of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, she has held several ministerial and leadership roles in both Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania before rising to the presidency.

This marks her first term as an elected President.

Kenya’s President William Ruto congratulated Suluhu on her re-election and expressed confidence that Kenya and Tanzania will continue strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation through the East African Community (EAC).

“I extend sincere congratulations to Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan on her re-election,” President Ruto said in a statement. “Kenya and Tanzania share deep historical and economic ties. We look forward to working together to advance peace, unity, and development.”

Ruto also urged Tanzanians to maintain peace and seek dialogue to resolve political tensions.

Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye and Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also sent their congratulations. Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki attended the swearing-in ceremony on behalf of President Ruto.