DAILY NEWS (tanzania)
President Jakaya Kikwete has appointed Hon. Mizengo Pinda as Tanzania's new prime minister, a day after his predecessor was forced to resign from the post amid allegations of graft over an energy deal.
Tanzanian head of state named outgoing cabinet member to replace Edward Lowassa. His nomination was swiftly endorsed by parliament, which is based in the administrative capital Dodoma. Pinda, 59, was minister of state for regional affairs and local government in the cabinet which was dissolved automatically when Kikwete accepted Lowassa's resignation late Thursday.
"We have a herculean task ahead. We must work together to overcome the problem of corruption and other evils in the society. It is a task that must not be left to one or a few individuals," Pinda said in his acceptance speech.
"We have a herculean task ahead. We must work together to overcome the problem of corruption and other evils in the society. It is a task that must not be left to one or a few individuals," Pinda said in his acceptance speech.
Pinda -- a seasoned politician and a trained lawyer -- is to be sworn in on Saturday and said announced that a new cabinet would be likely be unveiled on Monday.
Lowassa resigned after a parliamentary report implicated him and two other ministers in a corruption scandal over an energy deal with a firm from the United States.
Kikwete spent most of the day in consultations with Vice President Ali Mohammed Shein, Zanzibar President Amani Karume and other officials to agree on a name.
Lowassa's resignation and the scandal surrounding his departure are unprecedented in Tanzania and sent shockwaves across the country, which had enjoyed a good reputation with foreign donors in recent years.
"Because I have been linked to this scandal, I have decided to write to the president asking to be relieved of my duties," he told lawmakers gathered in the administrative capital Dodoma on Friday.
According to a probe into the energy contract, the prime minister as well as two other government ministers and several other officials allegedly meddled in the tender to favour Texas-based US firm Richmond.
According to a probe into the energy contract, the prime minister as well as two other government ministers and several other officials allegedly meddled in the tender to favour Texas-based US firm Richmond.
The emergency power supply deal aims at providing electricity to the east African nation in case of drought. The report found the deal contravened laws and rules on procurement and costs the country 140,000 dollars (97,000 euros) a day.
The political upheaval comes a week ahead of an expected visit by US President George W. Bush.
The political upheaval comes a week ahead of an expected visit by US President George W. Bush.
The longest leg of Bush's continental tour is set to be in Tanzania, in what officials had described as a seal of approval for the developing nation.
Kikwete, who last week took over the rotating presidency of the African Union, is perceived as taking a tough stance against corruption.
Kikwete, who last week took over the rotating presidency of the African Union, is perceived as taking a tough stance against corruption.
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