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Tanzania’s First Female Leader Sworn In With Authority in Doubt

  • New leader lacks strong political constituency of her own
  • Ruling party vacancies may work to Hassan’s advantage
Samia Suluhu Hassan
Samia Suluhu Hassan

Photographer: Inga Kjer/Photothek/Getty Images

Fumbuka Ng'Wanakilala and Mike Cohen
Updated on

Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as Tanzania’s president two days after the death of incumbent John Magufuli, and now faces the arduous task of securing political control of the East African nation.

Hassan, 61, took the oath of office at a ceremony in the commercial hub of Dar es Salaam on Friday. She succeeded Magufuli under a constitutional provision that the president’s deputy will serve out their term if they die in office.