Tanzanian President Magufuli sworn-in for 2nd term

John Magufuli, the newly-elected president of Tanzania, was sworn-in on Thursday to serve the country for a second five-year term following his win in the Oct 28 elections.

In a ceremony held at Jamhuri Stadium in the capital Dodoma, Magufuli vowed to serve the country diligently without fear, bias or hate. He promised to be faithful in his service to the country as well as protect its constitution.

Magufuli was sworn in before professor Ibrahim Juma, the chief justice and John Kijazi, the chief secretary.

After swearing-in and signing the oath, Magufuli was handed the constitution and the symbols of power – a spear and shield, as an indication of the beginning of his presidency, amid applause from the attendees who included foreign dignitaries.

Magufuli thanked the Tanzanians for conducting peaceful elections and promised to work towards growth of the country's economy in his next term in office as well as complete the uncompleted project and roll-out others.

He also promised to create jobs for the youth as well as continue fighting corruption.

He will be deputized by Samia Hassan, who also served as the vice-president during Magufuli's first term in office.

Magufuli garnered 12.5 million votes, translating to 84 percent of the votes cast, while Tundu Lissu, his main challenge got 1.9 million votes.

Azali Assoumani, the president of Comoros, congratulated Magufuli for being sworn-in for the second term and Tanzanians for conducting a peaceful election.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe said his country is grateful to Magufuli for proposing Oct 25 as a protest day for the Southern African Development Community against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe when he was the chairman of the bloc.