Magufuli fires intelligence chief Kipilimba ahead of elections

Magufuli fires intelligence chief Kipilimba ahead of elections

Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli has sacked the country’s intelligence chief Modestus Kipilimba just one year before the general elections.

Dr. Kipilimba had only served for three years out of the five years of his term.

According to Reuters, the latest move is seen as ‘indicating a shake-up of the intelligence network ahead of elections next year.’

The Citizen, a Tanzanian newspaper, said his tenure is one of  the shortest since Tanzania’s independence in 1961.

The press statement announcing his sacking was signed by the head of presidential communications, Gerson Msigwa.

It said he will be assigned other duties but with no specifics on what the new responsibilities would be.

Prior to his appointment, he had served as the director of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) voters register.

He was appointed to head intelligence in 2016 just a few months after President Magufuli was sworn in as the president of Tanzania.

According to the Guardian, Diwani Athumani has been sworn in to serve as the new intelligence chief.

Up until his appointment Commissioner Athumani headed the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).

 

 

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