Tanzanian president sworn in amid disputed poll result

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM (AA) - Tanzanian President John Magufuli was sworn in Thursday for a second five-year term despite growing resentment over the disputed polls last week which the opposition claims was marred by fraud and widespread irregularities.

Magufuli and his running mate Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan took the oath of office in front of a cheering crowd in the capital Dodoma.

“I, John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, do solemnly swear that I will execute my duties as the president of the United Republic of Tanzania, with integrity to fulfill the responsibilities of my roles diligently…,” he said in Swahili.

The ceremony was attended by 20 foreign leaders including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Azali Assoumani of Comoros and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

In a short speech, Magufuli thanked Tanzanians for electing him with overwhelming victory.

“My victory is the victory of all Tanzanians,” he said.

Magufuli, also known as the bulldozer for his work ethic, promised to intensify the war against corruption, theft and misappropriation of public funds.

“The election is over, the responsibility ahead of us is to continue with nation building efforts,” he said.

Magufuli assured Tanzanians that he would honor the oath of office and serve them all without fear or favor.

Magufuli won 84% of votes in elections held on Oct. 28. His main opponent, Tundu Lissu of the Party of Democracy and Progress, garnered only 13% of the votes.

Lissu, who returned to Tanzania in July after a three-year self exile in Belgium where he was recovering from 16 bullet wounds sustained in an assassination attempt, has denounced the polls as "travesty".