African leaders and dignitaries gathered in Tanzania’s capital on November 3, 2025 for the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Samia Suluhu Hassan. This marks a historic moment as she officially becomes the first female president ever elected in Tanzania.
The grand ceremony, held at the Uhuru Stadium in Dodoma, drew thousands of citizens and high-profile guests from across Africa, reflecting the regional significance of the occasion.
Among those in attendance were President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and many others. Their attendance showed unity within the African continent.
President Evariste and President Hakainde, who gave speeches, each extended warm congratulations to President Suluhu, praising her for breaking barriers and pledging continued cooperation between Tanzania and their respective nations.
In her inaugural address, President Suluhu expressed gratitude to the Tanzanian people and called for unity, emphasizing that her leadership will focus on strengthening democracy and advancing regional partnerships.
“When we have complaints, let’s come to one table only, that’s the dialogue table. That’s the only way to deal with our challenges of any kind,” President Hichilema advised during his speech.
The ceremony marked a new chapter in Tanzania’s political history, celebrated both as a symbol of progress and a milestone for gender representation in African leadership.
