Humphrey Polepole stripped of diplomatic status, appointment revoked
What you need to know:
- The move follows Mr Polepole’s public announcement of resignation on social media three days earlier, where he claimed to have written to the President expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as “a leadership that does not prioritise justice, peace and respect for people.”
Dar es Salaam. The government has officially revoked Mr Humphrey Polepole’s appointment as Tanzania’s Ambassador to Cuba and withdrawn his diplomatic status, marking a dramatic shift in the career of the former ruling party ideologue.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation confirmed that President Samia Suluhu Hassan exercised her constitutional powers under the Public Service Act to terminate Mr Polepole’s public service employment, citing public interest.
According to Chief Secretary Ambassador Dr Moses Kusiluka, the decision took effect on 16 July 2025.
The move follows Mr Polepole’s public announcement of resignation on social media three days earlier, where he claimed to have written to the President expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as “a leadership that does not prioritise justice, peace and respect for people.”
His remarks have sparked debate among political observers on whether the resignation was a principled stand or a pre-emptive move amid escalating tensions with the administration.
Mr Polepole previously served as a nominated Member of Parliament, District Commissioner, and Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training within CCM. He was a key figure in the party’s communications team during the late President John Magufuli’s tenure and was a member of the Constitutional Review Commission.
He joins a list of senior diplomats whose appointments have been revoked, underscoring that diplomatic postings remain political appointments subject to presidential discretion.
In 2018, President Magufuli rescinded the appointment of then-ambassador to Canada Alphayo Kidata, while in September 2023, President Hassan withdrew the diplomatic status of Dr Wilbrod Slaa six years after his appointment to Sweden.
Similarly, Professor Costa Mahalu, former Ambassador to Italy, faced revocation of his posting, although his diplomatic status was later restored.
The revocation of Mr Polepole’s appointment adds a new chapter to the evolving relationship between the current administration and figures aligned with the previous government
