Tanzanian Minister Fired After Comments on Election Rigging
Tanzania’s Information Minister Nape Nnauye was dismissed from his position after making controversial remarks about election rigging. At a rally on July 15, Nnauye suggested he could help a fellow ruling party member win the 2025 election by using various methods, including “legal, half-legal, and illegal” ways, as reported by BBC.
Nnauye’s comments were captured in a video that went viral, leading to a public outcry. He later claimed he was joking. President Samia Suluhu Hassan removed him from his post on Sunday as part of a cabinet reshuffle, without providing a specific reason for the decision.
The video showed Nnauye stating that election results depend more on the person counting and announcing them rather than what is in the ballot box. Many Tanzanians criticized him for undermining democratic principles and disrespecting voter decisions.
Nnauye had previously faced criticism in 2015 for suggesting the ruling CCM party would win the election by any means necessary. The CCM party, which has been in power since 1977, has faced accusations of election fraud and repression, though the electoral commission denies these claims.
Nnauye will be replaced by Jerry Slaa, a former land and housing minister. Foreign Minister January Makamba was also dismissed and replaced by Tanzania’s ambassador to Italy, Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1e48677w0o