DAR ES SALAAM: Samia Suluhu Hassan, 61, made history on Friday when she was sworn in as Tanzania's first female president at the government offices of State House in Dar es Salaam, the country's largest city.

Holding up a Quran with her right hand, Ms Hassan took the oath of office, vowing to uphold the constitution of the country. The inauguration was witnessed by the East African country's chief justice and members of the Cabinet. Tanzania's former presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Jakaya Kikwete and Abied Karume were also present.

Suluhu Hassan,  who hails from the island of Zanzibar, jointed politics in 2000 and quickly rose up the ranks, holding various ministerial posts.  The ceremony was held indoors and no one wore a facemask to protect against COVID-19.

Suluhu Hassan was elected Vice Chair of the Constitutional Assembly in 2014 and shortly thereafter became Magufuli's running mate for the 2015 general election, which led her to become Vice President. According to the Constitution, Suluhu Hassan should hold the country's highest office until the next election in 2025.

Magufuli's death was accompanied by persistent rumours that he died of Covid-19 after he had been absent from public view since February end.

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