Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu sacks foreign, ICT ministers in cabinet reshuffle

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Sunday reshuffled her cabinet resulting in significant changes within the foreign ministry.

Foreign and East African Community Minister January Makamba was sacked while he was abroad in Accra, Ghana, attending the African Union's 6th Mid-Year Summit.

Makamba, who had recently been considered a potential candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat, was gaining popularity among young diplomats and professionals across Africa as a possible successor to AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki.

The reason for his dismissal remains unclear.

Makamba is a prominent figure in Tanzania's ruling party, CCM, and had served as Foreign Affairs Minister for less than a year following President Samia Suluhu's third cabinet reshuffle on September 1, 2023.

Before his tenure at the foreign office, he was the Minister of Energy.

He will be replaced by Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, a career diplomat who was serving as Tanzania's ambassador to Italy until this appointment.

Makamba's two deputies, Stephane Byabato and Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk, are also no longer in their positions.

Byabato, a legislator representing the Bukoba Urban constituency, was fired, while Mbarouk, a career diplomat, resigned earlier on Sunday before the reshuffle.

Byabato had recently welcomed ICT Minister Nape Nnauye, who was also dismissed on Sunday, to his constituency.

Nnauye attracted criticism last week for stating that it was unnecessary for the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), to win votes through ballot boxes, fueling concerns about potential rigging ahead of the presidential elections next year.

Byabato appears to have been caught in the crossfire after CCM distanced itself from Nnauye's comments, emphasising that such actions are not condoned.