Tanzania to swear-in new president on Friday after death of Magufuli

Tanzania's Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan was due to be sworn in as president on Friday, a government official said, an historic move that is set to make her the East African country's first female head of state.

Hassan's ascension to the presidency comes after the death of President John Magufuli, 61, whose death due to heart disease was announced on Wednesday, more than two weeks after he was last seen in public. Magufuli's absence since Feb. 27 had fuelled speculation about his health and sparked rumours he had contracted COVID-19, although officials had denied he was ill.