List of heads of state of Tanzania facts for kids

Tanzania is a country in East Africa. When Tanzania first became independent in 1961, it was called Tanganyika. For a short time, the leader was Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the Queen of other countries. She had a special representative in Tanganyika called a Governor-General.

In 1962, Tanganyika became a republic. This meant it would have its own president as the main leader. A little later, in 1964, Tanganyika joined with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. This country was soon renamed the United Republic of Tanzania.

Early Leaders: Monarchy and Governor-General

When Tanganyika first gained its independence in 1961, Queen Elizabeth II was its head of state. She was the Queen of many countries in the Commonwealth.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Reign			Royal House	Prime minister(s)
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022)	9 December 1961	9 December 1962	1 year	Windsor	Nyerere Kawawa

The Queen had a special person in Tanganyika who represented her. This person was called the Governor-General. The Governor-General helped manage the country's affairs.

The only Governor-General of Tanganyika was Sir Richard Turnbull. He served for one year, from December 1961 to December 1962.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Monarch	Prime minister(s)
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Sir Richard Turnbull (1909–1998)	9 December 1961	9 December 1962	1 year	Elizabeth II	Nyerere Kawawa

Tanzania Becomes a Republic

After 1962, Tanganyika became a republic, which means it would be led by a president. This president would be the main leader of the country.

Political Parties

     Tanganyika African National Union (TANU)      Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)

Symbols

Elected unopposed

Died in office

Presidents of Tanganyika

The first president of Tanganyika was Julius Nyerere. He became president in December 1962.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Term of office			Political party
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Julius Nyerere (1922–1999)	1962	9 December 1962	29 October 1964	1 year, 325 days	TANU

Presidents of Tanzania

In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar joined together to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Julius Nyerere became the first president of this new united country.

Presidents in Tanzania are elected by the people for a five-year term. If a president cannot finish their term, the vice-president steps in to lead the country.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Term of office			Political party	Prime minister(s)
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Julius Nyerere (1922–1999)	1965 1970 1975	1 November 1964	5 November 1985	21 years, 4 days	TANU (until 1977)	Kawawa
			1980				CCM	Kawawa Sokoine Msuya Sokoine Salim
2		Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1925–2024)	1985 1990	5 November 1985	23 November 1995	10 years, 18 days	CCM	Warioba Malecela Msuya
3		Benjamin Mkapa (1938–2020)	1995 2000	23 November 1995	21 December 2005	10 years, 28 days	CCM	Msuya Sumaye
4		Jakaya Kikwete (born 1950)	2005 2010	21 December 2005	5 November 2015	9 years, 319 days	CCM	Sumaye Lowassa Pinda
5		John Magufuli (1959–2021)	2015 2020	5 November 2015	17 March 2021	5 years, 132 days	CCM	Majaliwa
6		Samia Suluhu Hassan (born 1960)	—	19 March 2021	Incumbent	4 years, 129 days	CCM

Timeline of Leaders

This timeline shows you when each president of Tanzania served.

Symbols of Leadership

Leaders in Tanzania have special flags that represent their office. These are called standards.

• 

  Governor-General's standard

• 

  Presidential standard

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Tanzania para niños