Politics

Tanzanian President, Samia Hassan reshuffles cabinet

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2023

Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday reshuffled her cabinet in a move that saw former minerals minister Doto Biteko emerge as Deputy Prime Minister, as well as placement of various other existing ministers in new dockets.

The latest cabinet adjustment is the second such change since she took power in March 2021.

Biteko will take up the Energy Ministry portfolio from January Makamba, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. Stergomena Tax, a former foreign minister, will return to the Defense Ministry, where she served until switching to international affairs last year.

Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka said in a statement, “As deputy to Kassim Majaliwa who was retained as Prime Minister, Mr Biteko will be in charge of coordinating government activities.”

In addition, the Works and Transport Ministry was divided in two, and Stephen Byabato was appointed deputy minister of foreign affairs with direct responsibility for EAC matters.

Innocent Bashungwa, the former minister of works and transportation, was appointed minister of works; Prof. Makame Mbarawa, the former minister of works and transportation, was named minister of transportation; and Biteko was replaced as minister of minerals by Anthony Mavunde, a deputy minister for agriculture.

Four ministers had their portfolios switched. Damas Ndumbaro, who previously served as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, is replacing her. Pindi Chana was promoted to the position of Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, where she will oversee, among other things, the government’s involvement in the constitutional review process.

Mohamed Mchengerwa was replaced as Minister of State in the President’s Office in charge of Local Governments by Angellah Kairuki, who was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources.

Jerry Silaa, who replaced Angelina Mabula as Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, is the lone newbie in the cabinet. Kennedy Gastorn was appointed principal secretary in charge of EAC relations in the Foreign Ministry, one of numerous changes that were announced among permanent secretaries.

President Hassan took over office in 2021 following the death of former president John Magufuli. Within two weeks of her assignment, she appointed a new vice president and reshuffled the previous cabinet.

She made a few adjustments to the cabinet directives in July when the Ministry of Finance and Planning was renamed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade, was renamed the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Minister of State in the President’s Office Planning and Investment position was established as a new position within the presidential administration.

Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

6 days ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

6 days ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.