Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Picks New Army Chief
In place of General Venance Mabeyo, who retired, Major General Jacob John Mkunda has been promoted to the rank of General and appointed Chief of Defence Forces of Tanzania.
Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Picks New Army Chief
In place of General Venance Mabeyo, who retired, Major General Jacob John Mkunda has been promoted to the rank of General and appointed Chief of Defence Forces of Tanzania.
Mkunda is Tanzania’s ninth military commander; he was chosen by President Samia Suluhu on Wednesday and sworn in at State House on Thursday.
The former commander of land forces was also the former chief of operations and training.
His selection put an end to weeks of rumors about the President’s decision of the crucial position even as she looks ahead to the 2025 election, in which she hopes to seek support as Tanzania’s first elected female head of state. His appointment was announced by State House spokesperson Zuhura Yunus on June 29.
On July 1, General Mabeyo will retire at the age of 66 after more than five years as the army’s top officer. On February 1st, 2017, the late President John Magufuli appointed him.
Additional appointment
Also appointed by President Suluhu as Chief of Staff and second-in-command of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces with the new rank of lieutenant general is Brigadier General Salum Haji Othman, who oversees research and military development.
Lt. Gen. Mathew Mkingule was replaced by General Othman, who, like President Suluhu, is a native of the Zanzibar archipelago. Mkingule is now an ambassador for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
presidential power transfer
General Mabeyo will be known mostly for upholding constitutional provisions governing the transfer of presidential powers in the case of an incumbent’s death after Magufuli’s untimely death in March 2021, which sparked reports of some turmoil within the ruling CCM party.
Prior to his formal passing on March 17, the late Tanzanian president’s inner circle strictly prohibited news coverage of his condition. There then followed a two-day period of no leadership before his deputy Samia took office on March 19.
There were widespread rumors at the time that anonymous Magufuli supporters inside CCM were using deliberate delay strategies to stop Samia from being automatically elevated from the vice-president position as required by the Constitution.
This in turn increased worries that Tanzania may experience an unprecedented military intervention. General Mabeyo, however, was one of the most tenacious voices pushing on respect for the Constitution, according to numerous military and CCM officials who later spoke off-record to The EastAfrican. He also quickly became one of President Samia’s most reliable allies.
Since then, the President has taken steps to strengthen her overall control over Tanzania’s political scene, including by appointing a number of people in an effort to increase the proportion of women and Zanzibar natives in high-ranking positions as she prepares for the 2025 election.
Generals Davis Mwamunyange (2007–2017), George Waitara (2001–2007), Robert Mboma (1994–2001), Ernest Mwita Kiaro (1988–1994), David Musuguri (1980–1988), Abdallah Twalipo (1974–1988), and Mirisho Sarakikya were additional former Tanzanian CDFs in addition to General Mabeyo (1964-1974).
