Pressure Builds on Ministers and Permanent Secretaries

The change in Tanzania’s vice presidency has unsettled a broad group of presidential appointees. Ministers, permanent secretaries, district commissioners, council directors and district administrative secretaries are waiting to learn whether they will retain their posts.

Deogratius Ndejembi moved from the Energy Ministry to the vice presidency, leaving the ministry’s top position vacant. Political analysts cited by Mwananchi say it could be the first place where President Samia Suluhu Hassan makes changes, although they expect the reshuffle may extend further.

The uncertainty marks a shift from the period after the 2025 general election. Samia, who was sworn in on November 3, 2025, formed her government and announced her cabinet on November 17. Since then, the article says, she had not significantly changed the cabinet. She had also told regional and local officials to keep working and not fear losing their positions.

Some changes have already been announced among regional commissioners and regional administrative secretaries. The changes, made on August 27, 2026, included the retirement of Lindi Regional Commissioner Zainab Taleck and Simiyu Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha. Jabir Makame, formerly of Songwe, was reported to be receiving new duties. Former lawmakers and deputy ministers, including Stanslaus Nyongo, Alexander Mnyeti and Jumanne Sagini, were appointed regional commissioners in Pwani, Geita and Mbeya, respectively. They are still waiting to be sworn in.

Analysts linked the possibility of wider changes to a recurring political pattern: when a senior leader leaves office under unusual circumstances, they said, people associated with that leader may also be removed or reassigned. Emmanuel Nchimbi sent Samia a resignation letter on August 25, 2026, and she accepted it hours later. The article says the resignation was followed by a notice that he had been expelled from the ruling party, but the supplied text ends before giving further details.