Tanzania’s president fires the ministers of information and foreign policy

In a mini-cabinet reshuffle, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan sacked two senior government officials, including the foreign minister, according to her office.

The adjustments were made as Hassan attempted to win back the confidence of international powers with a set of political and economic reforms that included loosening restrictions on the media and opposition parties and which some had perceived as faltering.

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, were canceled by Hassan, the presidency stated late on Sunday.

They are prominent members of Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the ruling party.

The reason for their removal was not stated. Requests for comments were not immediately answered by Makamba or Nnauye.

Nnauye was fired a week after remarks he made in a video went viral, in which he said that the person tallying votes and declaring the results will determine the outcome of the election.

Nnauye later issued an apology, claiming it was a joke, but other social media users and campaigners felt that Hassan’s efforts to advance democracy were compromised by the statement.

Hassan nominated Jerry Silaa as the minister of information, communication, and information technology, and Mahmoud Thabit Kombo as the new minister of international affairs.

Prior to his appointment, Silaa served as Tanzania’s minister of lands, housing, and human settlement development, and Kombo served as Tanzania’s ambassador to Italy. The presidency announced the appointment of two additional ministers and deputy ministers.

Hailing from 2021, Hassan’s administration has garnered commendation for reversing the crackdowns her predecessor had on human rights organizations and the opposition. However, concerns over her government’s record on human rights have been highlighted by the detention of an opposition leader and a lawyer last year.