Tanzania President: List, Powers, Salary and More

Overview of the Tanzanian President Title

The Leader of the Unified Republic of Tanzania [ in Swahili it means ”Rais wa Jamhuri ya-Muungano wa” Tanzania] serves as the country’s commander-in- chief and government. The President is the commanding general of the People of Tanzania’s Defence Army and heads the executive arm of the Tanzanian administration. The president of tanzania is always elected for a 5-year term. They have been limited to just two ruling terms since 1992, whether consecutive or separated.

Following the passing away of John Magufuli on March 17th, 2021 tanzania president Samia Hassan Suluhu was sworn in as the first Feminine President on March 19th, 2021.

Executive Powers of the Tanzanian President

Tanzania President is the Army’s Commanding general and is “answerable to a legislature made up of elected officials and the Tanzania people‘s representatives.”

Latest Tanzania President Election

President of Tanzania List

Here is a president Tanzania list of Tanzanian’s officials that have held the title of “president of Tanzania”.

List of Tanzania Presidents:

1. Julius Kambarage Nyerere (1961-1985)
2. Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1985-1995)
3. Benjamin William Mkapa (1995-2005)
4. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (2005-2015)
5. John Pombe Magufuli (2015-2021)
6. Samia Suluhu Hassan (2021-present)

List of Officials Who Have Held the Tanzanian President Title

Sir Richard G. Turnbull

Sir Richard G. Turnbull first headed the nation as major general after gaining sovereignty in 1961 as Tanganyika, until Julius K. Nyerere became the 1st and sole President under the 1962 constitution. Except for Samia Suluhu Hassan, who served just a single term after the merging of Zanzibar and Tanganyika in 1964, the 1964 constitution featured six presidents, all of whom served multiple terms. Julius Nyerere was Tanzania President from 1962 until 1985, serving a total of five terms, four of which were under the 1964 national constitution. The TANU [Tanganyika African National Union] party, which later merged to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi political party, has produced all Tanzania Presidents.

Julius Nyerere

Julius K. Nyerere [April 13th 1922 — October 14th 1999; in Swahili pronunciation: [”dʒuːlius kɑmˈbɑɾɑgɑ ɲɛˈɾɛɾɛ”] was a Tanzanian politician, anti-colonial activist, and political philosopher. He served as PM of Tanganyika from 1961 – 1962, then as Head of state from 1963 – 1964, before becoming Tanzania President from 1964 to 1985. From 1954 through 1990, he was a founding father and chairman of the TANU [Tanganyika African National Union] and its successor, Chama Cha Mapinduzi Political party. He was an African socialist and an African nationalist who supported the Ujamaa political philosophy.

Julius Kambarage Nyerere was the first president of Tanzania. He served as Tanzania’s first president from Tanganyika’s independence in 1961 until 1964 when Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Nyerere continued as the president of Tanzania until 1985. 

As Tanzania first president, Nyerere was known for his policy of African socialism, known as Ujamaa, and his efforts to promote unity, development, and self-reliance in Tanzania.

Ali Hassan Mwinyi

Ali Hassan Mwinyi [born May 8th, 1925] is a Tanzanian political figure who served as the 2nd Tanzania President from 1985 – 1995. Minister Of Interior and Vice President are among his previous positions. From the beginning of 1990 until 1996, he was also the leader of the ruling CCM [Chama Cha Mapinduzi] Party.

Tanzania took the initial steps to overturn Julius Nyerere’s socialist policies when Mwinyi was Tanzania President. Import restrictions were eased, and private enterprise was promoted. Multi-party politics were adopted during his second administration in response to pressure from both international and internal sources for reform. He fought for the liberalization of morality, beliefs, values [without infringing the law] and the economy and was known as ”Mzee Rukhsa” [ meaning, Everything Goes].

Benjamin Mkapa

Benjamin William Mkapa [November 12th, 1938, to July 24th, 2020] was 3rd Tanzania President, serving from 1995 – 2005. He was the Revolutionary Government political Party’s Chairman [CCM, Chama Cha Mapinduzi].

Jakaya Kikwete

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete [born On October 7th, 1950] is a Tanzanian political figure who served as the 4th Tanzania President from 2005 until 2015. Prior to his presidency, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under his forerunner, Benjamin Mkapa, from 1995 to 2005. From 2008 to 2009, he was the African Union’s chairperson, and from 2012 to 2013, he was the Head of the SADC’s [Southern African Development Community] Troika on Peace, Security, and Défense. Jakaya Mrisho was born and grew up in the Pwani District and attended Dar es Salaam University.

John Magufuli

John Pombe J. Magufuli [October 29th, 1959, to March 17th, 2021) was 5th Tanzania President, serving from 2015 to 2021 when he died. From the beginning of 2000 – 2005 and 2010 to 2015, he was Minister of Works, Transportation and Communication, and from 2019 to 2020, he was President of the SADC [Southern African Development Community].

The late president of Tanzania was characterized by a strong emphasis on anti-corruption measures, cost-cutting initiatives, and a focus on development projects. He was known for his strict approach to governance, earning the nickname “The Bulldozer” for his hands-on leadership style and determination to implement policies swiftly.

President of Tanzania Death

In 2021, the president of Tanzania died. John Magufuli passed away on March 17, 2021. The Tanzania president death was officially announced by Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan. According to the statement, President Magufuli died due to heart complications at the age of 61.

However, there were some controversies and speculations surrounding the circumstances of his death. During the time leading up to his passing, President Magufuli had not been seen in public for several weeks, leading to rumors and concerns about his health. Reports indicated that he had been receiving treatment for a heart condition at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, although the specifics were not publicly disclosed.

Read more about it here: 

• President of Tanzania dies
• Tanzanian president dies

Samia Suluhu Hassan

Samia Suluhi Hassan [January 27, 1960] is the Tanzania new president and current Tanzania president. She is the first Tanzania female president. Prior to assuming the presidency, she held various political positions in Tanzania.

She took the presidency after the former Tanzania president died in 2021. Samia Suluhu Hassan is known for her calm and measured leadership style. Her presidency has been marked by calls for unity, continuity, and efforts to address various social and economic challenges in Tanzania. She has expressed commitment to promoting development, tackling corruption, and improving the country’s business environment.

As new president of tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan has also been involved in regional and international affairs, representing Tanzania on the global stage and engaging with other countries and international organizations.

FAQs

Who is the president of Tanzania?

The current Tanzania president is Samia Suluhu Hassan. She is the first female president of Tanzania.

Did the president of Tanzania die?

The former tanzania president, John Magufuli, had passed away. He was the president from 2015 until his death on March 17, 2021.

How did the president of Tanzania die?

It was reported that the late president of Tanzania, John Magufuli, passed away due to heart complications. 

Who was the first Tanzanian president?

The first president of Tanzania was Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

How many Tanzanian presidents since independence have there been?

Since Tanzania’s independence in 1961, there have been six presidents. Here is a Tanzania president list in chronological order:

1. Julius Kambarage Nyerere (1961-1985)
2. Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1985-1995)
3. Benjamin William Mkapa (1995-2005)
4. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (2005-2015)
5. John Pombe Magufuli (2015-2021)
6. Samia Suluhu Hassan (2021-present)

What’s the president of Tanzania salary?

The salary of the President of Tanzania is approximately TZS 9 million per month.

Who is the new Tanzanian president?

Samia Suluhu Hassan

Who was the president of Tanzania 2020?

John Pombe Magufuli was president of Tanzania in 2020.

Who was the president of Tanzania 2021?

John Magufuli and Samia Suluhu Hassan were presidents in 2021.

Who was the president of Tanzania 2022?

Samia Suluhu Hassan was the president of Tanzania in 2022.

Who is the current president of Tanzania?

Samia Suluhu Hassan is the president of Tanzania today.

More Resources

• Tanzania president Magufuli biography
• President office Tanzania
• List of Tanzanian presidents
• Late Tanzania president burial
• President Hassan Tanzania
• List of presidents of Tanzania
• President’s office Tanzania
• President in Tanzania
• Vice president of Tanzania
• Vice president Tanzania

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