Tanzania Set for Political Shift as Former Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba Nominated Prime Minister

Tanzania Set for Political Shift as Former Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba Nominated Prime Minister:

Tanzania is on the brink of a major political reshuffle as former Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba is poised to become the nation’s next Prime Minister, following his nomination by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Parliament is expected to endorse the appointment during a vote scheduled for Thursday, a move that could redefine the direction of Hassan’s administration amid mounting political tensions.

The nomination follows President Hassan’s highly disputed re-election last month, where she was declared winner with an overwhelming 97 percent of the vote. Opposition parties, however, have rejected the results, accusing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party of widespread electoral fraud, including vote rigging and ballot manipulation.

The aftermath of the polls has been marred by violent unrest, with demonstrators taking to the streets in several cities before and after the vote. According to United Nations reports, hundreds of people have lost their lives in the clashes, while opposition figures claim the death toll exceeds one thousand, alleging that security forces used excessive force against protesters. The Tanzanian government maintains that the number of casualties is far lower but has yet to release an official figure.

Since assuming office in 2021, President Hassan—Tanzania’s first female head of state—has faced increasing international scrutiny over her human rights record and crackdown on dissent. Her government has been criticized by rights groups for restricting media freedom, detaining opposition leaders, and suppressing civic activism.

Analysts say the nomination of Mwigulu Nchemba, a seasoned economist and long-serving CCM insider, could be part of a broader strategy to restore confidence within the government and calm domestic unrest, while signaling continuity in economic policy. However, with global attention fixed on Tanzania’s democratic trajectory, observers warn that the coming days will test both Hassan’s political resolve and her government’s commitment to transparency and reform.