Tanzanian President Hassan appoints daughter, son-in-law as ministers

Tanzania President Samia Hassan has appointed her daughter and son-in-law as ministers in her government.

In a nationwide broadcast on Monday, Mrs Hassan, who was declared winner of Tanzania’s October 29 presidential election marred by violence, named 27 ministers and 29 deputy ministers, including her daughter and son-in-law.

Wanu Hafidh Amei, the president’s daughter, was appointed deputy minister for education, science, and technology, while her husband, Mohamed Mchengerwa, was appointed health minister.

Tanzania’s ambassador to China, Khamis Mussa Omar, was appointed finance minister in her new cabinet, while Adolf Mkenda remains minister of education, science, and technology.

While seven former ministers were relieved of their jobs, Mrs Hassan retained Anthony Mavunde as mining minister and Mahmoud Thabit Kombo as foreign affairs minister, respectively.

Criticism has continued to trail Mrs Hassan’s re-election, which was marred by violent protests, an internet shutdown, and a brutal clampdown on protesters.

The United Nations has called for thorough investigations into the killings that marred Tanzania’s general elections on October 29, citing reports that police are removing bodies to conceal evidence.

The CHADEMA opposition party, whose candidate, Tundu Lissu, was barred from the election, said about 700 people were killed during the election and vowed not to recognise Mrs Hassan as president.

The African Union Election Observation Mission said Tanzania’s election was not credible. The European Union, the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation, and the UK, Canadian, and Norwegian missions in Tanzania have respectively condemned the “large number of fatalities,” internet shutdown, disqualification of opposition candidates, and brutal clampdown on protesters during the election.

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