President Samia appoints six MPs as CCM tightens grip on parliament
Over the weekend, President Samia Suluhu Hassan extended an olive branch to opposition leaders, calling for dialogue following last month's disputed general election.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed six new Members of Parliament (MPs), in a move analysts say could shape her next Cabinet.
The appointments, which took effect on Monday, were formalised through a gazette notice issued by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka, drawing on a constitutional provision that allows Samia to directly nominate up to ten MPs.
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According to The Citizen, the new members include a mix of former ministers, diplomats and business figures. Among them is Dr Dorothy Gwajima, a medical doctor with extensive experience in public administration and prior roles in health and community development.
Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally, a respected academic and former Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Secretary-General, was also appointed alongside counterparts, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo and Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar.
Abdullah Ali Mwinyi, a prominent business leader and son of former president Ali Hassan Mwinyi, was also among the six. Dr Rhimo Nyansaho rounded out the group.
Tanzania's 13th Parliament is set to convene this week, but it will once again operate without an official opposition.
Only 12 opposition MPs, 10 directly elected and two through special seats, will take their places in the 396-member House. This falls far short of the 49 MPs needed to form a formal opposition under Tanzania's 2023 parliamentary rules.
The new Parliament also includes 270 constituency MPs and the Attorney General, who serves as an ex officio member.
Elections in two constituencies are still pending. Among the Special Seats MPs, 113 belong to the ruling CCM party, while two represent the growing Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMMA).
The previous Parliament, dissolved on August 2 ahead of the country's October 29 elections, which were marked by deadly protests across several regions, also lacked an official opposition. At that time, 26 opposition MPs were present, though some reportedly joined against their party's rules.
Under current Standing Orders, a party must have at least 12.5 per cent of all MPs in Parliament to form an official opposition, a threshold the current opposition cannot reach.
Over the weekend, Samia extended an olive branch to opposition leaders, calling for dialogue following last month's disputed general election.
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