President Samia appoints new spy chief

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday July 11, appointed and sworn-in Suleiman Abubakar Mombo as the new Director General of Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services (TISS).

Mombo replaces Iddi Siwa, who has retired.

Prior to this appointment, Mombo held a senior position in the Office of the President.

Ambassador Ali Idi Siwa took over as TISS DG in March 2023, succeeding Said Massoro, who had served as Tanzania's intelligence chief for less than eight months.

He becomes the third spy chief to serve under President Samia in Three years

According to the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service Act of 1996, Section 6, subsections (2-4), the Director General serves at the pleasure of the President under a contract of service, with a term not exceeding five years.

Reappointment for another term is possible, not exceeding five years each, and no one can hold the office for more than 10 years in total.

Historically, The Citizen’s records show that since 1961, TISS has had 10 leaders, including Emilio Mzena (1961-1975), who held the position for 14 years, and Dr Lawrence Gama, who led for three years.

Other directors and their tenures include Dr Hans Kitine (2 years), Dr Augustine Mahiga (3 years), Lieutenant General Imrani Kombe (12 years), and Colonel Apson Mwang’onda (10 years).

Former directors also include Mr Othman Rashid (11 years), Dr. Modestus Kapilimba (3 years), Commissioner Athuman (approximately 3 years), Massoro who was at the helm for eight months and Siwa who served for 15 months.

Since the 1996 amendment, Mr Rashid appears to have been the longest-serving Director General, likely due to delays in appointing his successor.