Kamala Harris, Sirleaf congratulate new Tanzania president Samia Suluhu

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris has extended words of congratulations to the new Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Harris in a social media post said the United States stood ready to strengthen relations between the two countries.

"Sending best wishes to Samia Suluhu Hassan following her swearing in as Tanzania's new President - the first woman to hold the office. The United States stands ready to work with you to strengthen relations between our countries," Harris' tweet read.

Africa's first elected female president Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has also congratulated the new Tanzanian leader.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the people of Tanzania on the passing of President John Magufuli. We wish Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan success as she takes the oath of office, becoming Tanzania’s first woman president," the Ellen Sirleaf Presidential Center tweeted on March 19.

Sirleaf herself tweeted on the same day: "Warm wishes to Samia Suluhu Hassan as she becomes #Tanzania's first woman president and assumes the awesome responsibility of leading and continuing to develop her country. My thoughts are with the people of #Tanzania as they mourn and heal.."

Suluhu took oath of office on March 19 after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli. She will serve the remaining tenure of Magufuli's second term which started late last year.

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi, CCM, after a meeting yeaterday (March 20) is set to elect her as party leader to officially replace Magufuli at the party level.

Sending best wishes to @SuluhuSamia following her swearing in as Tanzania's new President - the first woman to hold the office. The United States stands ready to work with you to strengthen relations between our countries.

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 20, 2021