Tanzania’s newly elected President John Magufuli was sworn in on Thursday for a second five-year term following a disputed election that the opposition denounced as fraudulent, reported Africa News.
According to the electoral commission, Magufuli got 12.5 million or 85 percent of the total votes, while his main challenger, Tundu Lissu of the Party of Democracy and Progress, received 1.9 million or 13 percent of the votes.
The opposition alleges that the October 28 election was plagued with irregularities including double-voting and ballot box-seizing by security forces. It claimed that thousands of observers were not allowed to enter polling stations.
Magufuli and Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan took the oath of office in the capital Dodoma. He promised to maintain peace and stability in the East African nation. He said his 84.4% victory from the Oct. 28 vote was “not only for the ruling CCM party but for all Tanzanians.”
“I, John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, do solemnly swear that I will execute my duties as the president of the United Republic of Tanzania, with integrity to fulfill the responsibilities of my roles diligently…,” Magufuli said in Swahili.
Around 20 foreign leaders including President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Azali Assoumani of Comoros, and Burundi’s Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni attended the swearing-in ceremony.
After taking the oath, Magufuli thanked Tanzanians for electing him with overwhelming victory.
“My victory is the victory of all Tanzanians,” he said.
The newly elected president vowed to intensify the war against corruption, theft and misappropriation of public funds.
“The election is over, the responsibility ahead of us is to continue with nation building efforts,” Magufuli said.
He also assured the people of Tanzania that he would honor the oath of office and serve them all without fear or favor.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have vowed to push ahead with nationwide street protests.
