Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Mwigulu Nchemba as the country’s new prime minister following a disputed presidential election that sparked deadly unrest last month.
Nchemba, who previously served as minister for finance and a longtime member of parliament, was endorsed by the National Assembly in a near-unanimous vote on Thursday. He pledged to “work diligently” in his new role.
President Hassan, declared the winner of the October 29 election, has faced criticism from opposition parties and rights groups who allege widespread vote irregularities and the exclusion of key challengers. The UN Human Rights Office said it believes hundreds were killed in post-election clashes, while local activists and opposition figures have claimed more than 1,000 fatalities.
The government has dismissed those figures as exaggerated but has not released an official toll.
Nchemba, a senior figure in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and former deputy secretary-general, also served in the cabinet of the late President John Magufuli.
Analysts say his appointment reflects Hassan’s trust in close allies who have remained loyal since she assumed power in 2021. “His stability in government shows the president’s confidence in him,” said Richard Mbunda, a political analyst at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania projects its economy to grow by 6% this year, driven by major infrastructure projects in transport and energy, despite cuts in aid from some international partners.