On Friday March 19, Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as the sixth president of the United Republic of Tanzania two days after the death President John Magufuli.

As she took oath of office at State House in Dar es Salaam, she made history by becoming the first female President to lead Tanzania, East Africa’s second largest economy.

But before her ascendency to power early today, there have been other women who have rose to the highest office in other countries. These include:

Sylvie Kinigi – was a caretaker President of Burundi, following the killing of Melchior Ndadaye who was the first democratically elected president of Burundi- 1993-1994

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – following years of political turbulence in the West African nation, she was elected President of Liberia - 2006-2018

Rose Francine Rogombé - Interim President of Gabon after the death of Omar Bongo - 2009

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia.

Monique Ohsan-Bellepeau - Acting President of Mauritius, after the resignation of Sir Anerood Jugnauth - 2012

Joyce Banda - President of Malawi, after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika -2012-2014

Catherine Samba-Panza - transitional President of Central African Republic, elected by parliament - 2014-2016

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim - President of Mauritius, elected by parliament. 2015-2018

Sahle-Work Zewde - President of Ethiopia, elected by parliament. 2018-present