Samia, January Makamba reconcile after MP’s surprise removal from the Cabinet

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Bumbuli MP January Makamba have rekindled their working relationship following Mr Makamba’s removal from the Cabinet in July 2024.

In a move that caught political pundits by surprise, President Hassan sacked Mr Makamba as Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and replaced him with Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

Also sacked in the reshuffle was the then Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye.

Although no reason was given for the dismissal, both Mr Makamba and Mr Nnauye are influential figures in the ruling CCM.

But in a public show of thawing relations, President Hassan repeatedly referred to Makamba as “my son” during her ongoing tour of Tanga, where they shared warm exchanges. The first signs of thawing relations emerged during the inauguration of the Bumbuli District Council building, where President Hassan placed a flower garland on Makamba in a symbolic gesture before they toured the facility together. Addressing residents, she acknowledged Makamba’s role in advocating for development projects in Bumbuli.

“Since we have another major meeting in Lushoto, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people of Bumbuli, led by your MP, your brother, your son, January Makamba,” President Hassan said.

Also read: Samia reshuffles cabinet: Drops foreign Affairs and ICT Ministers

The reconciliatory tone continued in Lushoto, where at a public rally that was also attended by several ministers and deputy ministers, MPs and regional leaders, President Hassan called Makamba forward.

“I want to call my son, January, to come here. Let him return to his mother. You all know how we mothers are—if you upset your mother, she gives you a slap and sets aside food for you. Isn’t that right?” she quipped before embracing him. The crowd responded with cheers as the President chanted, “January oyeee! Bumbuli oyeee!”

Speaking earlier, Makamba expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served in President Hassan’s administration.

“I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me and appointing me as a minister in your government, first for Energy and later for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,” he said.

He noted that the experience had been invaluable and acknowledged President Hassan’s mentorship.

“If I have any competence in ministerial work, it is because of your guidance. I sincerely thank you, and this history will stay with me forever,” Makamba added.

The Bumbuli MP also took the opportunity to highlight development projects in Bumbuli, particularly the long-awaited construction of the Soni-Bumbuli-Dindila-Kwa Shemshi-Korogwe road.

 “For 20 years, this has been our plea. But about three weeks ago, we received news from the Minister of Works that you have now granted approval for the road to be tendered and constructed to tarmac standard,” he said, adding that the project would be a game-changer for the Usambara region.

President Hassan affirmed the government’s commitment to the road project and announced that tenders would be opened in March to select a contractor.

“This road is something that my son, January, has persistently lobbied for, and after hearing his plea, I decided to approve it,” she said. “We are set to build 22 kilometres from Soni to Bumbuli and 9.3 kilometres from Kwa Meta to Kwa Shemshi.”

She also outlined other key infrastructure projects for Tanga, including the construction of the Bagamoyo-Pangani-Tanga road and the Pangani Bridge, which she is scheduled to launch. Additionally, she announced plans to improve maritime links between Tanga and the islands of Unguja and Pemba to boost trade.

On the issue of human-wildlife conflict, which was asked by the MP for Mlalo, Mr Rashid Abdallah Shangazi, President Hassan acknowledged the challenges posed by wild animals destroying crops and assured that the government was taking measures, including increasing the number of wildlife officers and deploying drones to scare animals away.

She also directed the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism to review compensation policies for farmers who incur losses due to wildlife incursions.

The President’s visit to Tanga comes at a crucial time as the country gears up for the next general election. With CCM’s traditional dominance in the region, Mr Makamba pledged overwhelming support for her re-election bid.

“All votes from Bumbuli and Lushoto are yours,” Makamba assured, promising to mobilise voters to deliver at least 90 percent of the region’s votes for President Hassan and CCM.