President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday presented an intriguing mix of continuity and change in naming a new Cabinet to kick off her second and final term in office following last month's contentious election, which was marred by deadly unrest.
The Tanzanian leader, making the announcement from State House in Dodoma, dropped at least seven ministers, including Energy chief and Deputy Prime Minister Dotto Biteko, but kept the nucleus of her previous team intact.
The Cabinet reshuffle also saw close allies, including some her family members, rise to plum positions. First Daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir, who is a Member of the National Assembly of Tanzania, was appointed deputy minister of Education, Science and Technology. Her husband Mohamed Mchengerwa, the former Local Governments and Regional Administration minister, takes over the key Health docket.
Ridhiwani Kikwete, son of ex-president Jakaya Kikwete, was promoted from deputy minister to full minister in charge of Civil Service Management and Good Governance while first daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir became deputy minister of Education, Science and Technology where Prof Adolf Mkenda will continue as minister.
Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu. Inset is her daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir and Ridhiwani Kikwete, son of ex-president Jakaya Kikwete.
Photo credit: Pool
Meanwhile, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo continues as Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation while another nominated MP from Zanzibar, Hamisi Musa Omari, became Finance Minister following Dr Mwigulu Nchemba's elevation to Prime Minister.
Prof Kitila Mkumbo was also retained as Planning and Investments Minister and newly elected Mtwara Urban MP Joel Nanauka, a 42-year-old motivational speaker, was put in charge of the new Ministry of Youth Development dedicated to addressing deep-rooted Gen Z concerns, which the President believes triggered the election-related chaos. Both Prof Mkumbo and Nanauka will answer directly to Samia.
Prof Palamagamba Kabudi kept his position as Information and Culture Minister, with newly elected Arusha MP Paul Makonda becoming one of his two deputies. Other key ministerial postings include George Simbachawene (Home Affairs), Dr Ashatu Kijaji (Tourism and Natural Resources), Deo Ndejembi (Energy), Juma Homera (Constitutional and Legal Affairs) and Judith Kapinga (Industries and Trade).
Anthony Mavunde stayed on as Minister of Minerals; former CCM secretaries-general Daniel Chongolo and Bashiru Ally Kakurwa were appointed ministers of Agriculture and Livestock and Fisheries respectively.
Significant omissions from the Cabinet included Innocent Bashungwa (Home Affairs), Hussein Bashe (Agriculture), Selemani Jafo (Industries and Trade), Jenista Mhagama (Health) and Pindi Chana (Constitutional and Legal Affairs).
There was also no place for Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of the previous National Assembly, whose last-minute withdrawal from the contest for the seat despite being elected Uyole MP, remains a mystery.
