Tanzanian PM to step down in surprise move

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Tanzanian PM to step down in surprise move

The Prime Minister of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa, announced that he would not ask for his re -election in the next legislative elections, actually preventing him from being recovered.

Majaliwa had previously declared that he would defend his legislative seat for the fourth time in October before making the surprise announcement on Wednesday.

The 64 -year -old man was appointed Prime Minister in 2015 and was considered a possible successor to the late President John Maguuli after his death in 2021.

He continued to occupy the post of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who seeks to keep the presidency under the decision Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Majaliwa, which represents the coastal region of Ruangwa since 2010, said that his decision was guided by God and that he had made “in good faith”.

“It is time to give others the opportunity to unite and rely on the development foundation that we have established,” said Majaliwa, without developing his reasons to withdraw from the elections.

It comes a week after Majaliwa said he would seek another mandate in Parliament.

He also told the residents of Ruangwa last September that he would present himself, with his unexpected withdrawal, speculation on a power struggle within the ruling party.

Majaliwa said he would continue to serve as a senior CCM and support the presidential candidacy of Samia.

In Tanzania, the Prime Minister directs government affairs in Parliament and is appointed by the president among elected deputies.

Given as a calm but firm leader, Majaliwa is recognized to ensure a fluid and calm political transition after the death of Magufi.

The former professor has become an influential figure in the CCM party, which has ruled Tanzania since 1977. He was a junior minister under former president Jakaya Kikwete.

Its release follows that of vice-president Philip Mpango, who announced in May his retirement from politics.

Analysts claim that the withdrawal of the two superior politicians gives President Samia Space to consolidate her CCM control and develop her management range in the second mandate.

Political analyst Nicodemus Minde told the BBC that this decision could be part of a desire for Samia to ensure regional balance at the top of her government, if she won the elections. She would also be eager to have a religious balance because she and Majaliwa are Muslim in a country with a Christian majority.

Another analyst, Ezekiel Kamwaga, suggested that Majaliwa could have wanted a break.

“Something must have pushed him to change his mind on the race for the siege. He served for 10 years as Prime Minister, maybe he thinks that is enough,” he said.

The country should vote in parliamentary and presidential elections, the CCM should maintain power. The main opposition party, Chadema, was prohibited for refusing to register for an ethics code because he wishes a series of electoral reforms.

Initially congratulated for having relaxed the restrictions that Magufuli had imposed on the opposition and the media, Samia was criticized for what rights defense groups consider a renewed repression. She took power in 2021 after the death of Magufuli, becoming the first woman president of the country.

CHADEMA superior politicians were arrested and several opposition personalities removed and murdered.

On Thursday, the government rejected the information according to which a poison conspiracy owned the chadema chief, Tundu Lissu, who faces accusations of treason in court.

He followed the concerns raised by Chadema about Lissu security during police custody.

But in a statement, government spokesman Gerson Msigwa said that the Tanzanian authorities had “never planned to poison a person in detention, and they do not intend to do so to anyone.”

Msigwa warned that the government would take measures against people involved in the publication and dissemination of “false” information.

The Samia government defends the repression of the opposition as a decision to ensure peace in the country.