OREANDA-NEWS. For the first time in the history of Tanzania, the post of president was occupied by a woman Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was previously vice-president. On Friday, March 19, she was sworn in, local media reported.

«I, Samia Suluhu Hassan, promise to be honest, observe and defend the constitution of Tanzania», the media quoted the words from the presidential oath.

The former President of Tanzania, John Magufuli, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 17, at the age of 61. He has been in office since 2015. «The Honourable Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, died of heart disease at the Mzen Hospital in Dar es Salaam (the capital of Tanzania), where he was being treated», Samia Hassan Suluhu said.

Magufuli was one of the most prominent COVID-skeptics in Africa, advised to treat it with herbs and prayers. Tanzania has not released details of it's coronavirus cases since May, and the government has refused to purchase vaccines.