President Robert Mugabe yesterday joined several African leaders in witnessing the inauguration of Tanzania’s fifth President Pombe John Magufuli.
by Staff Reporter
Magufuli (56) was sworn into office in Dar es Salaam along with Tanzania’s first female Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was his running mate in the October 25 polls, which he won with a 58% margin.
He takes over from Jakaya Kikwete, who completed his constitutionally mandated two terms last month.
Mugabe, the African Union chairman, was joined by South African President Jacob Zuma, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
Mozambique’s Filipe Nyusi, Zambia’s Edgar Lungu and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn also attended Magufuli’s inauguration.
Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980, has witnessed several power handovers in various countries in the region.
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He belongs to the first generation of nationalists, which included Tanzania’s founding leader, Julius Nyerere.
Back home, Zanu PF structures have already started the process of endorsing the 91-year-old leader to contest the 2018 general elections, when he will be 94.
Mugabe was expected to deliver a speech as the AU chair.
