On a bright morning in Dodoma, Tanzania’s administrative capital, thousands of onlookers and dignitaries gathered as Samia Suluhu Hassan took the presidential oath. It was a historic moment: Tanzania’s first woman to assume the highest office, following a landslide victory and a notably controversial election process.
At the military base where the ceremony was held, Hassan was dressed in a red headscarf and dark glasses an image both composed and determined.
She stood before senior officials, troops in uniform, and a hushed crowd, as she swore to uphold the constitution. The event included a guard‑of‑honour, military salutes, and the raising of the national flag.
Just days earlier, on October 29, 2025, Tanzania held its presidential election. The official results declared Hassan the winner with an astonishing 97.66 % of the vote.
Hassan originally ascended to power in 2021 after the sudden death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli, this marks her first time being sworn‑in based on her own electoral mandate. In doing so, she not only becomes a symbol of change but also faces high expectations: for stability, for reform, and for how Tanzania positions itself in East Africa and beyond.
She entered office promising to “protect the constitution” and to lead with honesty and transparency. But her path is far from easy. Many Tanzanians and international observers point to issues around press freedom, political space, and democratic norms that require urgent attention.
At the same time, Tanzania faces large tasks: boosting its economy, improving education and health systems, leveraging its youth population, and navigating international relations in a changing world. The choice of Hassan reflects a desire for both continuity and renewal.
In the coming days and months, all eyes will be on how President Hassan’s leadership takes shape: will she consolidate power and reassure critics, or will she deliver on reforms and inclusivity as many hope? The swearing‑in is more than a formality it is the starting gun of a new chapter for Tanzania.
