Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday vowed to defend democracy and basic freedoms in the East African country, reported Africa News.
“Democracy, individual freedom, and freedom of the press are important to foster development and peace,” the president said in her first speech to parliament broadcast by local media.
Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female president in March, said she would soon hold talks with opposition leaders to discuss how to take political activities forward in the interest of the country.
“In the interest of protecting democracy, I intend to meet with all political party leaders to discuss how they can best conduct their political activities for the benefit of our country,” the new Tanzanian president said.
The 61-year-old Suluhu was vice president to the former leader John Magufuli. She became Tanzania’s president following Magufuli’s sudden death on March 18 at the age of 61.
In power since 2015, Magufuli, also nicknamed the “Bulldozer”, was re-elected in October last year after a controversial election described as a farce by the opposition. He was widely criticized for his authoritarian style of governance.
Earlier this month, in a speech given when swearing in new members of the government, Suluhu had asked MPs to stop comparing her with Magufuli. She expressed her disappointment to the parliament who in several sittings discussed her differences with the former president, instead of focusing on the government agenda.
She further indicated that her country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic would henceforth be based on science, unlike Magufuli who had played down the pandemic, calling on his fellow citizens to pray to God to get rid of it.
The new Tanzanian president also formed a committee of experts to advise her on the status of Covid-19 in the country and possible steps to be taken to control the pandemic.
