US vice president Harris congratulates Tanzania’s first woman president Hassan

 

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday congratulated Tanzania’s new president Samia Suluhu Hassan; the first woman to hold that office, and said the United States was ready to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Harris, the first woman and first person of color to serve as US vice president; made the comment in a posting on Twitter.

“Sending best wishes to @SuluhuSamia following her swearing in as Tanzania’s new President – the first woman to hold the office.

The United States stands ready to work with you to strengthen relations between our countries,” she wrote.

Hassan, who had been vice president since 2015, on Friday urged the country to unite; and avoid pointing fingers after the death of John Magufuli, her Covid-19 sceptic predecessor.

The US Trade Representative’s office is leading US efforts to forge a new trade and investment partnership with the East African Community; a regional organization that includes Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Total trade between the two countries was $462 million in 2019.

US foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania was $1.5 billion in 2019; a 5.2% increase from 2018, according to US government data.

On Friday, the 61-year-old leader was sworn in at 10am local time (07:00 GMT).

Hassan ascended to the presidency after President Magufuli’s death due to heart disease was announced on Wednesday; more than two weeks after he was last seen in public.

Magufuli’s absence since February 27 had fuelled speculation about his health and sparked rumours he had contracted COVID-19; although officials had denied he was ill.

According to Tanzania’s constitution, the vice president serves out the remainder of the term of a president who dies in office.