President William Ruto has skipped the inauguration of President Samia Suluhu in Dodoma, Tanzania.
Instead, the President sent Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to represent him at the event that is currently ongoing following a contentious election on October 29.
Earlier today, the President congratulated Suluhu on her election, days after the Tanzanian election commission announced her as the winner.
As international delegates continue to arrive for Suluhu's inauguration, Presidents across Africa have sent delegations to represent them.
This includes President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who also skipped the occasion and sent a delegation of his own.
Although the turnout of Presidents from the East African Community has been practically non-existent, the Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the newest member of the community, was present.
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema and Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo were also present at the inauguration.
Suluhu, who was declared the winner of the election after scooping over 97 per cent of the votes on October 29, assumed Tanzania's Presidency on March 19, 2021, following the death of President John Magufuli, whom she had deputised since 2015.
In the lead-up to the 2025 General Elections, President Suluhu attracted criticism after two of her main opponents were kicked out of the race.
In April, CHADEMA party leader Tundu Lissu, the main opposition in the country, was arrested and charged with treason after a rally where he called for electoral reforms. Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, the second-largest opposition party, was also disqualified.
As the country went to the polls on Thursday, thousands of others took to the streets to protest the election, leading to the deaths of at least 500 people so far, according to reports.
As such, the inauguration ceremony is being held in a private ceremony at a military parade grounds in the capital, Dodoma, closed off to most civilians.
In the meantime, the country has been thrown into a media blackout, with electricity and social media and even broadcast media remaining closed. Shortages in fuel and food have also been reported since the election.
