Tanzanian president fires minister over comments suggesting electoral fraud

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has fired two senior ministers, including the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a mini-cabinet reshuffle.

The move comes ahead of next year’s expected national elections, with the sacked information minister caught in a viral video last week saying that “victory in elections is not always determined by the number of votes at the polls”.

“Mahmoud Thabit Kombo was appointed member of parliament and new minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation to replace January Makamba, whose appointment was revoked,” according to a statement from the presidency released late on Sunday, which did not detail the reasons for the dismissals. . .

Jerry Silaa – formerly Land, Housing and Settlements Development – ​​has been appointed to replace Nape Nnauye, Minister of Information, Communications and IT, the statement said.

A viral clip of Nnauye emerged last week in which he said: “Winning in elections is not always determined by the number of votes at the polls, but depends on who counts and announces the results.”

The video drew widespread criticism from both the opposition and the ruling party, which said the remarks did not reflect its position.

Nnauye apologized for the clip, saying his comments were a joke and that he had been quoted out of context.

But local media reported that opposition politician John Mnyika said the statement “indicates what was planned within the government and the ruling party”.

The reshuffle also left analysts speculating about the 2025 elections, which Hassan is expected to contest.

“I think it’s a power play heading into next year’s general elections,” said University of Dar es Salaam professor Abel Kinyondo.

The move follows his decision in early July to appoint a new intelligence chief.

“Suleiman Abubakar Mombo has been sworn in to replace Ali Idi Siwa, who has retired,” the presidency said.

Hassan, then vice president, took office in 2021, following the death of John Magafuli.

Since taking command, Hassan has moved away from Magafuli’s authoritarian policies and embarked on political reforms, including relaxing some restrictions on media and opposition.

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