Combination photo (L - R) SahleWork Zewde of Ethiopia, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania
Tanzania is waiting for the swearing in of a new president in the person of Samia Suluhu Hassan.
She is constitutionally the next in line to become president in the absence of the incumbent. President Magufuli, her former boss' death was announced yesterday. Suluhu made the announcement ending weeks of rumours on the president's whereabouts.
In this article, GhanaWeb provides brief profiles of Africa's female presidents. As of March 2020, there are only two women presidents in the persons of Samia Suluhu and Ethiopia's Sahle Work Zewde.
Who is Samia Suluhu Hassan?
Previous political experience: She held ministerial portfolios and was a serving legislator when she was picked as vice-presidential candidate for Magufuli in 2015.
The appointing authority: President John Pombe Magufuli appointed her as running mate in 2015 and maintained her for the October 2020 re-election bid which he won by a contested landslide.
Who did she replace: Back in 2015, she became the 10th veep of the country taking over from Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice-President of Jakaya Kikwete.
Circumstance around appointment: Tanzania in 2015 was due to have a new president after Jakaya Kikwete’s final term run out. Magufuli – then a Minister was picked to lead the ruling party and he picked Samia as his deputy – she became the 10th Tanzanian vice-president but the first woman to hold the post.
Brief: The 57-year-old joined politics in 2000 after working in the public sector including a stint with the World Food Programme (WFP). She is married with four children.
Ethiopia's ceremonial president Sahle-Work Zewde
In October 2018, Sahle-Work Zewde became Ethiopia’s first woman president and at the time, the only serving female head of state in Africa.
A seasoned diplomat and veteran of the United Nations, Zewde was appointed with a unanimous vote by parliament. She replaced the then president Mulatu Teshome.
In her first address to parliament, Zewde promised to be a voice for women and stressed the importance of unity.
The appointment at the time added to a series of unprecedented shifts as part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s reforms focused on easing government control.
Despite holding a traditionally ceremonial role, Zewde’s appointment was hailed as a tremendously symbolic move for the conservative country, opening the door for gender parity.
African women serving as Prime Ministers
Prime Ministers are usually appointees of parliaments or presidents. A number of women are currently holding the role across Africa. Amongst them are:
1. Saara Kuugongelwa of Namibia, PM since 2015
2. Rose Christiane Ossouka-Raponda of Gabon, PM since 2020
3. Victoire Dogbe of Togo, PM since 2020
