Leader of opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South has congratulated the newly sworn in President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Hassan has ascended to the High Office following the sudden death of President John Pombe Magufuli from heart complications.

Writing on his official facebook page Nankhumwa expressed optimistic the cordial relationship between Malawi and Tanzania shall continue to flourish for the benefit of the two peoples.

“On behalf of all opposition political parties represented in Parliament in Malawi and on my own behalf, I would like to extend hearty congratulations to Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan on her ascendancy to the high office of President of the United Republic of Tanzania on Friday, March 19, 2021 following the untimely death of President John Pombe Magufuli from heart complications.

“I am optimistic that under the leadership of the first woman and 6th Tanzanian Head of State, the cordial, close and cooperative relationship that exists between Malawi and Tanzania shall continue to flourish for the benefit of the two peoples,” said Nankhumwa

He added: “The late President Magufuli was a true pan-Africanist who believed in home-grown solutions to a myriad of social and economic challenges that Tanzania and the rest of Africa face. The late Magufuli’s leadership philosophy prioritized massive industrialization and people-centred social and economic policies. It is, therefore, not by fluke that Tanzania now enjoys the middle-economy status. I am confident that the newly-sworn in President Hassan would continue from where her late predecessor left.

“May the soul of President John Pombe Magufuli continue to rest in everlasting peace.”