Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has dismissed two senior government officials, including the foreign minister, in a mini-cabinet reshuffle aimed at restoring confidence in her administration’s reform agenda. The shake-up is part of Hassan’s efforts to regain the trust of foreign powers through economic and political reforms, such as easing restrictions on opposition parties and media, which some critics have claimed were losing momentum.
The presidency announced late on Sunday, July 21, that Hassan had terminated the appointments of January Makamba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation, and Nape Nnauye, the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology. Both are influential members of the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). No official reason was given for their dismissal, and Makamba and Nnauye have not responded to requests for comment.
Nnauye’s removal follows a recent controversy over a video in which he commented that election outcomes depend on who counts the votes and announces the results. Although Nnauye later apologized, claiming it was a joke, the statement was criticized by activists and on social media for potentially undermining Hassan’s efforts to enhance democratic processes.
President Hassan has appointed Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, previously Tanzania’s ambassador to Italy, as the new Foreign Affairs Minister and Jerry Silaa, formerly the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, as the new Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology. The presidency also announced the appointment of two additional ministers and deputy ministers.
Since taking office in 2021, Hassan’s administration has been praised for reversing her predecessor’s harsh measures against opposition and civil rights groups. However, recent arrests of a lawyer and an opposition politician have cast doubt on her government’s commitment to human rights.
