Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan
Samia Suluhu Hassan became Tanzania’s sixth President after John Magufuli died, taking office on March 19, 2021.
Magufuli selected her as Magufuli’s running mate in 2015. She holds several qualifications, such as a postgraduate diploma from University of Manchester and master’s degree in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University.
Samia Suluhu Hassan is a Tanzanian politician and member of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, currently ruling Tanzania. On 19 March 2021 she became Tanzania’s sixth President following John Magufuli’s death two days earlier.
Samia Hassan first came into political prominence in 2000 when she was elected as a special seat member of Zanzibar House of Representatives and appointed minister. By 2014, she had also become vice chair of the Constitutional Assembly that was working under President Jakaya Kikwete to draft its new constitution.
She is married to Hafidh Ameir, who works as a retired agricultural officer, and they have four children together. Their estimated net worth is $15 Million; furthermore, she has become well known as an advocate against corruption.
Samia Suluhu Hassan, more commonly known by her nickname Mama Samia, took office as Tanzania’s sixth president on March 19 following John Magufuli’s untimely passing two days prior. This marks her as being the first female head of state within an East African Community country.
First elected to public office in 2000, she won election as a special seat member to the Zanzibar House of Representatives in 2000. Later on President Jakaya Kikwete appointed her minister of state for union affairs in 2010 before finally being chosen vice chairperson for Constitutional Assembly tasked with writing Tanzania’s new constitution in 2014.
As a member of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), her international agenda has already included meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping to strengthen bilateral ties and stimulate China’s industrial economy. Additionally, she met exiled opposition leader Tundu Lissu and advocated for political prisoners held by her own government.
Suluhu Hassan first entered politics in 2000 when she was elected to Zanzibar’s House of Representatives and appointed as minister. Since then she has quickly progressed within Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi party until in 2015 she was chosen as Magufuli’s running mate during his presidential election bid.
She has since undone some of the anti-democratic policies of her predecessor. For instance, she lifted a ban on opposition political rallies and activities instituted by former President John Magufuli.
She worked to enhance the tourism sector of her nation and participated in negotiations with foreign investors. Furthermore, she assisted the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic by advocating for social distancing and mask-wearing while simultaneously advocating vaccination campaigns.
Samia Suluhu Hassan was born on 27 January 1960 in Makunduchi, Tanzania. She completed her primary education at various schools on Zanzibar including Chwaka Primary school, Ziwani primary school and Mahonda Primary school before enrolling at Morogoro’s Institute of Development Management – IDM to study public administration studies.
She was first elected as member of parliament for Makunduchi constituency in 2010. President Jakaya Kikwete appointed her Minister of State for Union matters in 2014.
During her term as president, she worked to rebuild Tanzania’s relationships with neighboring countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, and Burundi as well as improving relations with Western nations such as the US and China.
Samia Suluhu Hassan took COVID-19 pandemic seriously and advocated social distancing and mask use. Additionally, she became one of the first people in her country to get vaccinated – receiving her initial dose on July 28, 2021.
Samia Suluhu Hassan was born and raised on Unguja island of Zanzibar’s semi-autonomous region – home of about 99% Muslims – with both her parents being teachers. When her father passed away when she was 17, she accepted a clerkship at a government office as she continued her education.
As President, she has reversed some of Magufuli’s more restrictive policies and taken seriously the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging citizens to use social distancing techniques and wear masks; she even received her first COVID shot herself. Furthermore, she promoted vaccination programs throughout Tanzania since “no one lives alone”.
She has held talks with several international leaders, such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, EU Council leader Charles Michel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel – she is currently in India, where she has already met PM Narendra Modi. She will spend four more days in India to discuss bilateral ties between the two countries.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Who is Samia Suluhu Hassan? | Samia Suluhu Hassan is the President of Tanzania, who took office on March 19, 2021, following the death of John Magufuli. |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Education | She has a educational background in public administration studies. |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Parents | She was born and raised in Zanzibar, with both of her parents being teachers. Her father passed away when she was 17, and she continued her education while working as a clerk at a government office. |
| Political and Policy Reversals | She has reversed some of the restrictive policies implemented by her predecessor. |