Tanzania appoints loyalist Mwigulu Nchemba as prime minister after disputed vote

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed longtime ally and former finance minister Mwigulu Nchemba as prime minister, following a disputed election that triggered deadly unrest and drew international concern over human rights abuses.

Tanzania's parliament confirmed Nchemba in a near-unanimous vote on Thursday, a result widely expected after Hassan was declared the landslide winner of the 29 October presidential election.

Nchemba, who also served in the cabinet of former president John Magufuli, said he would work diligently in his new role.

The country expects economic growth of 6% this year, driven in part by major infrastructure investments in roads, railways and power generation.

Budget spending is set to rise by about 12% to support the projects, even as foreign aid from partners including the United States declines.

The opposition claims last month’s election was rigged, triggering protests after key challengers were excluded from the race.

Hassan, who became president in 2021 after Magufuli’s death, has rejected allegations of rights abuses and defended the fairness of the vote.

The United Nations Human Rights Office says it believes hundreds were killed in the post-election unrest, while opposition leaders and activists claim security forces killed more than 1,000 people.

The government says those figures are exaggerated but has not provided its own death toll.

Nchemba, a member of parliament since 2010, previously served as deputy secretary-general of Hassan’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

His appointment reflects the president’s trust in him, said political analyst Richard Mbunda of the University of Dar es Salaam, noting that “he had never lost his job in the cabinet reshuffles since she came to power.”

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