Samia Suluhu Hassan (54), has been picked to run for vice president for the coming Tanzania major election in October 2015 for the fifth president since its independence. Before 2000, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan was an activist with no interests in politics. And yet, 14 years down the lane she has rose through the ranks to become the Vice-Chairperson of the last ended Constitution Assembly in Dodoma in 2015. In addition, the soft-spoken activist turned politician is the Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office. Samia Suluhu Hassan is currently the Minister of State at the Vice President’s Office for Union Affairs in the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. Prior to this she has been the Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment (2005 - 2010) and Minister for Youth Employment, Women and Children Development (2000 – 2005) at the Zanzibar Government. In October 2013, she participated at the panel in Norway and she addressed questions in particular relevant to Tanzania on: To what extent are REDD+ efforts catalyzing transformation change in the management of forests? What are the most significant barriers to accelerated progress? In what ways can the international community provide support for national-level initiatives?. If wins, Samia will be the champion for environment as the country looses nearly 400Ha per annum of forests.
