Tanzania: President Suluhu Appoints Finance Minister Mpango As Deputy
Tanzanian President Samia Hassan Suluhu on Tuesday appointment the country’s Finance Minister Philip Isdor Mpango as her deputy.
Parliament has already approved his appointment.
The position became vacant after President Samia became president following the death of President John Magufuli on 17 March.
Addressing parliament immediately after his name was submitted, Dr Mpango said he was surprised and that he was ready to take on the responsibility.
Mpango is an economist who has held various senior positions including as a senior economists at World Bank.
Before being appointed by Magufuli as a finance minister, he served as an economic adviser to former President Jakaya Kikwete.
Meanwhile police have confirmed that 45 people died in the stampede as mourners gathered to view the body of the late president last week.
Thirty-seven other people were injured in the stampede in Dar es Salaam, they said in a statement.
The police had initially given a death toll of five. They have been under pressure to confirm the actual numbers, more than a week after it happened, after a family confirmed losing six members in the incident.
The family was part of the thousands who went to bid farewell to their president but never made it back home.
One man lost his wife, two children, a nephew and a niece. The family’s maid was also found dead a few days later.
Video footage circulating on social media showed residents entering the stadium using unofficial entry points, as crowds grew larger.
President Magufuli died on 17 March from heart complications.