Frontier Eye Desk
Dodoma, Tanzania.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is facing mounting criticism after appointing her daughter and son-in-law to senior cabinet positions in a sweeping reshuffle announced on November 17.
Wanu Hafidh Ameir, 43, a Member of Parliament for Makunduchi in Zanzibar, was named Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology. Her husband, Mohamed Mchengerwa, 46, the MP for Rufiji, was promoted to Minister of Health.
The shake-up — which reassigned 27 ministers and 29 deputy ministers — has drawn widespread condemnation as blatant nepotism and a worrying slide toward family rule. It is the first time in Tanzania’s history that a sitting president has appointed her own child to the cabinet. The elevation of Ridhiwani Jakaya Kikwete, son of former president Jakaya Kikwete, to Minister for Public Service Management and Good Governance has further heightened concerns about entrenched political dynasties.
Opposition party CHADEMA and several civil society groups accused President Hassan of prioritizing loyalty over merit. Online, outraged Tanzanians denounced the appointments as “shameless nepotism,” with many alleging the president was turning public office into a family enterprise.
The uproar comes just weeks after Samia’s contested re-election on October 29, in which she secured 97.66% of the vote amid violence, an internet shutdown, opposition disqualifications, and widespread fraud allegations.
International observers from the African Union and the European Union said the polls lacked credibility, while the UN and several Western embassies condemned the deadly crackdown on protesters.
Government allies, however, defended the appointees’ qualifications, citing their years of parliamentary and public service experience.
Samia has promised national reconciliation talks with the opposition and insists the reshuffle is aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in key sectors.
The new cabinet was sworn in earlier today at Chamwino State House against a backdrop of rising public anger and escalating political tensions.