Tanzania's First Female President Sworn In Amid Historic Inauguration Ceremony

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in for a new term Monday after winning last week's election with nearly 98% of the vote. The 65-year-old leader, who first took power in 2021 following her predecessor's death, now begins her first full elected term as president of East Africa's second-largest economy.

Hassan took the oath of office during a ceremony in Dodoma, the capital, with several regional leaders in attendance including the presidents of Somalia, Burundi, Mozambique, and Zambia. The high-profile guest list signals Tanzania's growing diplomatic influence in the region.

The election commission announced Hassan's overwhelming victory following Wednesday's vote. Her landslide win reflects strong domestic support, though opposition parties have historically faced restrictions in Tanzania's political system.

Hassan became Tanzania's first female president in March 2021 when President John Magufuli died unexpectedly during his second term. She was serving as vice president at the time. Her rise to power marked a significant shift in the country's approach to both domestic governance and international relations.

During her inauguration speech, Hassan emphasized national unity and continuity. "Our responsibility is to build our present to be better than our past," she told the crowd. "I pray to God that we continue to protect our special values of unity and cooperation."

For investors and regional markets, Hassan's victory provides political stability in a country rich in natural resources including gold, natural gas, and agricultural products. Tanzania's economy has shown steady growth under her leadership, and her business-friendly policies have attracted increased foreign investment compared to the more isolationist approach of her predecessor.

The ceremony caps Hassan's transition from an unexpected leader thrust into power to a president with a clear electoral mandate. Her focus on economic development and regional cooperation could reshape Tanzania's role in East African politics over the next five years.