The Vice President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan was this morning sworn in as the East African country’s first female president after the sudden death of John Magufuli from an illness shrouded in mystery.

In her first public address as president, the 61-year-old leader announced 21 days of mourning for Magufuli and public holidays on March 22 and on March 25, the day the late president will be buried.

Hassan ascended to the presidency after President Magufuli’s death due to heart disease was announced on Wednesday more than two weeks after he was last seen in public.

Magufuli’s absence since February 27 had fuelled speculation about his health and sparked rumours he had contracted COVID-19, although officials had denied he was ill.