Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed her daughter and son-in-law to key government positions as part of a sweeping cabinet reshuffle announced on Monday, from the Chamwino State House in Dodoma.
The president unveiled a new team of 27 ministers and 29 deputy ministers, replacing seven senior officials from the previous cabinet. Her daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, was named Deputy Minister of Education, while her husband, Mohamed Mchengerwa, assumed office as Minister of Health.
Wanu, 43, currently represents Makunduchi Constituency in Zanzibar, and Mchengerwa, 46, is the lawmaker for the Rufiji Constituency in the Pwani Region.
The reshuffle also saw the inclusion of Ridhwani Kikwete, son of former President Jakaya Kikwete, who was appointed Minister of Public Service Management and Good Governance. The 46-year-old legislator represents Chalinze Constituency in Pwani.
Other key changes include the appointment of Khamis Mussa Omar as the new Finance Minister, taking over from Mwigulu Nchemba, who became Prime Minister last week. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo retained his position as Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. The newly constituted cabinet is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday.
President Samia’s appointments echo a trend observed in several African nations, where leaders enlist relatives or close allies into government roles. In Uganda, for instance, President Yoweri Museveni has multiple family members in influential positions, including First Lady Janet Museveni as Minister of Education and their son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as head of the defence forces.
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame has faced similar scrutiny, although he recently dismissed claims of grooming his daughter, Ange Ingabire Kagame, for political office, stressing she holds no special entitlement. His sons currently serve in the Rwanda Defence Forces.
Melissa Enoch
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