Diwani Athuman Msuya sworn in as director general of the TISS.
Tanzania's President John Magufuli has sacked the head of the country’s intelligence service, the presidency said on Thursday, a move seen as indicating a shake-up of the intelligence network ahead of elections next year.
Modestus Kipilimba was dismissed as director general of the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service (TISS) after three years in the post. No reason was given.
“President John Magufuli today appointed and swore in Diwani Athuman Msuya as director general of national intelligence,” the presidency said in a statement.
Under Tanzanian law, the spy chief serves for a five-year term, which is renewable.
Msuya, whose appointment takes immediate effect, was previously head of the anti-corruption agency and was at one time the director of criminal investigations in the police force.
The sacking makes Kipilimba the shortest serving director general of TISS.
Prior to his appointment, Kipilimba served as acting director of Tanzania’s National Identification Authority (Nida).
Kipilimba will be assigned other duties, the presidency said, without giving details.
The move could signal plans by Magufuli to shake up the country’s intelligence service, one security analyst said.