Tanzania: John Magufuli sworn in for a second term
President John Magufuli was sworn in on Thursday morning for his second term in Tanzania.
Tanzania State House Press / Handout via REUTERS
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President John Magufuli was sworn in on Thursday morning for his second term at the head of the country, after his very broad, but contested, re-election in the October 28 ballot, with more than 84% of the vote.
A big ceremony was organized in a stadium of Dodoma, the capital, in the presence of foreign guests and the constituted bodies.
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Tanzanians were entitled to more than three hours of high mass in a Jamhuri Stadium furnished and decorated for the occasion.
A dozen foreign delegations were present from the African Union, SADC.
His Ugandan counterparts Yoweri Museveni, Zimbabwean Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Comorian, Azali Assoumani as well as Burundian Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni also.
John Magufuli was sworn in
on the Constitution before representatives of the cults and the High Court.
The same goes for its vice-president, the first in the country's history, Samia Hassan Suluhu.
He was presented with the traditional symbols of power, a spear and a shield, and vowed to serve the citizens of Tanzania "
diligently, without fear, hatred or favor
".
“
The election is over.
The great task that awaits us now is to continue to rebuild our country, to develop it.
I also promise you that I will work tirelessly, regardless of our political differences, to achieve what we promised during the campaign.
In addition, we will work to get our country out of dependence on foreign countries
”, declared the re-elected president.
Opponents released
However, the "bulldozer" as it is nicknamed, begins this second term after a controversial election.
His opponents have called for continued protests and some are already accusing him of wanting to remove the limit on the number of terms at the head of state to run for re-election, which John Magufuli ruled out this weekend.
But the opponents were never able to mobilize, because of the strong security deployment in the country.
Several leaders were arrested
after making accusations of fraud, including Tundu Lissu, an unsuccessful presidential candidate.
They were all released on Monday and Tuesday.
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Tanzania
John Magufuli
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