Inside Tanzania’s successful WHO campaign for Janabi

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s strategic diplomacy and high-level political backing have been credited for the successful election of Prof Janabi as Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organisation (WHO)—a moment widely viewed as a major diplomatic win for the country.

At the core of the campaign was a team led by former President Jakaya Kikwete and strongly supported by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose endorsement added weight to the bid.

Health minister Jenista Mhagama, a key figure in the campaign, told The Citizen that the campaign leveraged President Samia’s growing diplomatic influence and Tanzania’s alignment with global development priorities.

“We used the election manifesto and national policy priorities to craft a platform relevant to many countries, framed through the SDGs—especially the 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships,” she said.

Minister Mhagama said that the campaign followed a “4R strategy” of reconciliation, resilience, reforms and rebuilding. At some point, she said, at times, they used relinquish—making calculated decisions, even if it meant losing some votes for strategic gain.

“What truly drove success was the steady leadership of campaign chairperson, Mr Kikwete,” she noted.

The campaign built on Tanzania’s reputation for stability and leadership in health and development and turned the spotlight on Prof Janabi’s global experience, including his advisory role during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak and his role in facilitating a $363 million health system investment from South Korea.

The final push took place in Geneva, led by Foreign minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, alongside Health ministers Jenista Mhagama (Mainland) and Nassor Mazuri (Zanzibar). The delegation coordinated with former Mr Kikwete through a virtual session to refine last-minute lobbying.

“Tanzania’s embassies across Africa played a critical role in mobilising support. This was not just about Prof Janabi, but about Tanzania’s visibility in global leadership,” said Mr Kombo.

Tanzania’s Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, Ambassador Hoyce Temu, was also a central figure. Drawing from her experience in Dr Tulia Ackson’s Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) campaign, she joined efforts early when Prof Janabi’s name was first floated in December 2024.

“We began discreetly to avoid early competition,” she said.

She added that showcasing Tanzania’s progress in health, education, environment and economy helped build a compelling case. “The 5Ps gave our campaign a strong foundation. Tanzania was seen as a frontrunner,” she said.

Former President Kikwete’s face-to-face engagements with leaders of over 20 countries proved instrumental. In Guinea, for instance, he invoked historical ties dating back to Mwalimu Nyerere’s era. In Congo-Brazzaville, Prof Janabi’s role in past Ebola responses was a strong factor. “Prof Janabi wasn’t just a medical expert. He was on the frontlines during past health crises and leaders respected that,” said Ambassador Hoyce. Other African leaders were swayed not only by Prof Janabi’s career, but by his roles as adviser to both Presidents Kikwete and Hassan on health matters.

The campaign team divided responsibilities. Former President Kikwete, ministers and ambassadors conducted regional outreach, while Hoyce coordinated engagements with ambassadors of the 47 African WHO member states from Geneva.

“The biggest challenge was time. Prof Janabi was still working, which limited his ability to travel and meet leaders directly,” said Ms Hoyce Temu. Some countries required personal engagement before pledging support.

The campaign also faced logistical obstacles. “Sometimes we had to travel from Ethiopia to France, then to the intended country. This required detailed planning and teamwork,” she said.

A special directive from President Hassan instructed all Tanzanian ambassadors to engage their African counterparts, ensuring no WHO African member state was left unreached.

The campaign used cultural diplomacy effectively. In South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique, Tanzania’s support for liberation movements was invoked, including reference to symbols like Mandela Road as markers of long-standing friendship. “These historical narratives helped deepen trust,” said Ms Temu. Prof Janabi ultimately secured 32 out of 47 votes—exceeding the team’s target of 28–35. The result affirmed Tanzania’s diplomatic strength and its ability to rally the continent.

“This is only the beginning. We must groom more Tanzanians for global leadership,” said Ms Temu.

She said: “Prof Janabi was more than just a candidate with a strong résumé. He proved he could lead. Tanzania has demonstrated it can shape global institutions—now it’s time to open the door for others.”