Samia Suluhu Hassan (born January 27, 1960) is the current President of Tanzania, serving since March 19, 2021. She is the country's sixth president and the first woman to hold the office. Born in Zanzibar, she is also the first Tanzanian president to originate from the semi-autonomous archipelago.
She ascended to the presidency following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, while serving as Vice President (2015–2021). Prior roles include Minister of State for Union Affairs and positions in Zanzibar's government.
Early in her tenure, she was praised for reversing some of Magufuli's more restrictive policies—such as acknowledging COVID-19, resuming vaccinations, lifting bans on opposition activities, and engaging more openly with international partners and on climate issues. Her collaborative style earned her the affectionate nickname Mama Samia.
However, her leadership has faced significant criticism, particularly surrounding the October 2025 general election. She won re-election with approximately 97.66–98% of the vote, but the process was widely disputed. International observers, including the African Union and SADC, described it as neither free nor fair, citing ballot-stuffing, repression, and systemic flaws. Opposition protests led to violent crackdowns, with reports of hundreds of deaths, injuries, mass arrests, and a nationwide internet shutdown. Opposition groups like Chadema alleged up to 1,000 deaths and crimes against humanity, though the government denied the scale and blamed some unrest on external influences.
In early 2026, advocacy group Index on Censorship named her "Tyrant of the Year 2025" due to the post-election repression. She has since acknowledged some damage to Tanzania's global image and stability, launched investigations into the unrest, pardoned some detainees, and emphasized unity and economic progress moving forward.
Recent developments include minor cabinet reshuffles (e.g., reassigning Professor Palamagamba Kabudi), pledges for inclusive talks on a reconciliation commission, and preparations for implementing National Development Vision 2050 starting in 2026.
Today, January 27, 2026, marks her 66th birthday, with supporters on platforms like X sharing messages of celebration and well-wishes under hashtags like #HappyBirthdayMama.
Her tenure reflects a complex legacy: initial reformist promises contrasted with later accusations of authoritarian consolidation.