Tanzania's immediate past finance minister has been elected new vice-president of the East African nation.
The parliament today confirmed the the appointment of Philip Isdor Mpango to replace current president Samia Suluhu Hassan in the role.
President Suluhu Hassan nominated the minister to the position on Tuesday, a nomination that was first announced by the speaker of parliament Job Ndugai ahead of the approval vote.
He becomes the 11th veep of Tanzania. President Suluhu served as vice president to deceased John Pombe Magufuli since 2015 till the former president died in mid-March.
Local portals report that addressing the legislature after his name was submitted, Mpango said he was surprised and that he was ready to take on the responsibility.
He is an economist who has held various senior positions including as a senior economists at World Bank.
He happened to be among two ministers who were re-appointed by Magufuli after winning his second term, which term Suluhu is constitutionally completing.
#BREAKING: President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed, Dr. Philip Mpango to be the next Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
— Tanzania Updates ???? (@TanzaniaUpdates) March 30, 2021
He is supposed to be ratified by the national assembly by more than 50 percent.
Currently, Dr. Philip Mpango is the Finance Minister. pic.twitter.com/Iw4VjktGa7
