Magufuli sworn in as Tanzania's president, opposition boycott ceremony

Nov 10, 2015 Tanzanian President John Magufuli recently took his oath of office and promised to end political strife while speeding up development in the country.

Magufuli received a 21-gun salute as he took over power from outgoing president Jakaya Kikwete.

“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 and with humility and I will preserve the rights of all people in accordance with the law, customs and traditions of the Republic of Tanzania without fear or favour, affiliation or hatred, so help me God,”

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by South African president Jacob Zuma, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe among others.

The ceremony was boycotted by the main opposition coalition, who threatened to hold nationwide demonstrations to protest the October 25 poll results.

In other news, Zanzibar’s election commission annulled the island’s presidential election, citing gross violations of election laws. A fresh presidential election has been scheduled to hold within 90 days.