Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sacked two senior ministers, including the head of the foreign ministry, in a minor Cabinet reshuffle.
The move comes ahead of national elections expected next year, after the sacked information minister was seen in a viral video last week saying that “victory in elections is not always determined by the number of votes cast in the ballot box.”
“Mahmoud Thabit Kombo has been appointed Member of Parliament and the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, replacing January Makamba, whose appointment has been cancelled,” according to a statement from the presidency late Sunday. The statement did not give details of the reasons for the dismissal.
The statement said Jerry Sila – previously the Minister of Lands, Housing and Settlement Development – has been appointed to replace Information, Communications and IT Minister Nape Naouye.
Last week, a viral clip of Nanouye emerged in which he said: “Victory in elections is not always determined by the number of votes in the ballot box, but by who counts and announces the results.”
The video drew widespread criticism from both the opposition and the ruling party, who said the comments did not reflect their stand.
Nanouye apologised for the clip and said his comments were meant as a joke and that his statement had been taken out of context.
But opposition politician John Manyika said the statement “gave an indication of what is being planned within the government and the ruling party”, according to local media.
The reshuffle has also led analysts to speculate about the 2025 election, in which Hassan is expected to contest.
“I think this is a show of strength for next year’s general election,” said Abel Kinyondo, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam.
The move follows his decision to appoint a new intelligence chief in early July.
“Suleiman Abubakar Mombo was sworn in to replace the retired Ali Idi Siwa,” the presidency said.
Then-Vice President Hassan took over in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli.
Since taking office, Hassan has moved away from Magufuli’s authoritarian policies and moved toward political reforms, including easing some restrictions on the media and the opposition.
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