President Hassan Names Loyal Ally Nchemba as New PM

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan selected a longtime loyalist to serve as the nation’s new Prime Minister on Thursday.

This high-level appointment follows a recent, disputed presidential election that triggered violent clashes, in which human rights groups allege hundreds of protesters were killed.

The Parliament swiftly endorsed the appointment of former finance minister Mwigulu Nchemba in a nearly unanimous vote.

This outcome was widely expected, given that President Hassan was declared the landslide winner of the October 29 poll.

A Promise of Diligence

Nchemba, who previously served in the cabinet under Hassan’s predecessor, stated he would apply diligence and focus in his new position.

The leadership transition occurs amidst severe controversy over the election results. Opponents firmly contend that Hassan’s government manipulated last month’s election.

This dispute ignited public unrest following the exclusion of her main challengers from the political process.

President Hassan, who has been in office since 2021, has dismissed criticisms regarding her administration’s human rights record. She strongly maintains the fairness and legitimacy of the recent election results.

International Scrutiny and Rising Fatalities

The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern, stating it believes hundreds of people died during the protests. Conversely, the main opposition party and various human rights activists claim security forces were responsible for the deaths of over 1,000 individuals.

The government has countered these claims, asserting the opposition’s death toll is exaggerated. However, authorities have yet to release any official figure for the number of people killed during the violence.

Political Background and Economic Outlook

Nchemba has been a member of the national parliament since 2010. He also previously held the post of deputy secretary-general for Hassan’s political party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

A political analyst suggested that Hassan’s sustained trust in Nchemba is demonstrated by the fact that he was never removed during any of the cabinet reshuffles since she assumed power.

Tanzania’s economic forecast predicts a growth rate of 6 percent for the current year. This expansion is partially expected to be driven by significant infrastructure projects, including new railways, roads, and power generation facilities.

Budget spending is projected to increase by approximately 12 percent this fiscal year to fund these massive projects, even as the nation faces cuts in financial aid from international partners.

The Deadly Count: How a Disputed Election Unleashed Chaos