Magufuli’s death offers limited reform opening
President John Magufuli has died in office aged 61, just six months after securing a second term
Samia Suluhu Hassan was on March 19 sworn in as Tanzania’s first female president. The former vice-president took office after President John Magufuli died of heart complications following widespread rumours he had contracted COVID-19. Since coming to power in 2015, Magufuli dominated the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and the Tanzanian political scene.
Our judgement
Magufuli’s death will create a political vacuum, which may trigger new political competition given the deep divisions within both the country and the ruling party. Lacking a strong base within the party or her predecessor’s forceful charisma, Samia will therefore need to tread carefully to manage the various party factions -- especially the still-powerful pro-Magufuli group -- which in turn will likely constrain her ability to plot a new political course.
See TANZANIA: Magufuli’s death offers small reform opening - March 23, 2021