Chilima to attend Magufuli’s inauguration in TZ

Vice President Saulos Chilima will leave the country tomorrow to attend the inauguration of Tanzania’s President-elect, John Magufuli, at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

In a statement today, spokesperson in the Office of the Vice President Pilirani Phiri said Chilima has been delegated by President Peter Mutharika.

The 56 year old Magufuli, who represented the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) won the presidential election with 58 percent of the vote, with main rival Edward Lowassa coming second with 40 percent of the ballots cast.

His victory extends CCM’s 54 year rule. Magufuli replaces Jakaya Kikwete

Married with five children, Magufuli was born in north-western Tanzania’s Chato district along the shores of Lake Victoria.

Once a Mathematics and chemistry teacher, the BBC reports that he went on to become an industrial chemist—and was awarded a doctorate in chemistry from Dar es Salaam University in 2009.

Magufuli is a staunch Catholic who loves singing in the church choir and playing traditional drums.