THE minor cabinet reshuffle conducted by President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the weekend is largely being seen as a move to enhance accountability.

Interviewed experts said yesterday that the president aimed to strengthen accountability while responding to a public uproar arising from unguarded comments from an outgoing minister, raising doubt over electoral intentions of the ruling party.

Dr George Kahangwa, a senior lecturer at the School of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, said that the reshuffle improves cabinet cohesion for greater focus on socio-economic development.

Noting that the changes were somewhat anticipated, he said that the ministers’ removal was not surprising as Nape Nnauye “should have resigned by himself following his election box and results statement as the country cannot have leaders of that kind.”

Regarding January Makamba, he hinted at being aware of suggestions that he did not prioritise responsibilities but focused on other ambitions.

Reshuffles are customary for the president in any epoch to replace assistants who do not align with the desired pace in policy action, to replace them with other competent individuals, he said.

On Sunday evening, President Samia terminated appointments of January Makamba as Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation minister and Nape Nnauye as Information, Communication and Information Technology minister, appointing Zanzibar veteran cabinet insider Mahmoud Thabit Kombo to the Foreign Affairs docket and Jerry Silaa to oversee the Information fraternity.

Up to the moment Kombo served as ambassador to Italy, while Silaa not long ago took office at Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development.

Godbless Lema, the Chadema northern zone chairman, was satisfied with the replacement of ex-minister Nnauye, asserting that his remarks were “perilous for a country upholding democratic principles and free elections.”

He stressed that democracy is the sole means for citizens to replace a government they deem ineffective, and such statements undermine public confidence in this belief.

As a member of the cabinet and making statements like that was highly dangerous for democracy, he said, stressing that the government must uphold the country's image based on secure and fair elections.

Dr Anna Henga, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) executive director, interpreted President Samia's steps as indicative of accountability and responsibility.

In the reshuffle, Cosato Chumi (Mafinga Urban) was appointed deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, replacing Ambassador Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk, who will be assigned other duties, the State House indicated in a statement.

Deogratius Ndejembi takes over at Lands while Ridhiwani Kikwete, erstwhile deputy minister for Public Service and Good Governance at the President’s Office, takes over as minister for Labour, Employment, Youth and Persons with Disability in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).