Tanzanian President John Magufuli Has Become A Twitter Sensation
After publicly slashing government spending, the newly elected president of Tanzania has become a viral sensation. Reuters

(Reuters) -- He's been Tanzania's president for less than a month, but John Magufuli has already become a Twitter sensation, thanks to a radical clampdown on government spending. His comical Twitter hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo? popped up after he introduced a drastic program of government cutbacks just days into the job.

Social media user Jacob Selengia says the president's actions have become water cooler conversation.

"People started making it a joke in everyday life, and it just grew from that. It's an everyday conversation piece, even in the office," says Selengia. "You know, let's say teabags have run out. Someone will go, What Would Magufuli Do? Let's just get water and carry on with work."

Shortly after his inauguration, Magufuli canceled Independence Day festivities, restricted officials from traveling abroad and banned the printing of government Christmas cards.

He has also put a stop to the $100,000 spending on the opening of Parliament, instead pledging to spend the money on new hospital beds after learning patients were sleeping on the floor.

His ruling CCM party has also pledged to tackle corruption, something many voters have been calling for.

Tanzania's economy has been growing at 7 percent a year. But poverty is still a big problem. And Magufuli hasn't won over everyone yet.

"I have some reservations," says Dar es Salaam resident Jasper Sabuni. "I'm just trying to figure out, is this a political stunt? Or will he continue to do this as time goes on?"

Others welcome the new president's belt-tightening ways. And some would like to see them repeated across Africa.

But for now, Tanzanians will be watching to see 'What Magufuli will do next?'

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