Tanzania head of state John Magufuli has sacked the head of the country’s intelligence service Modestus Kipilimba, the presidency announced on Thursday 12th, September 2019.
Modestus Kipilimba was dismissed as director-general of the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service (TISS), a move seen as indicating a shake-up of the intelligence network ahead of the upcoming elections.
Modestus Kipilimba had been serving as director-general of the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service (TISS) for three years in the post.
No reason for his dismissal was given.
“President John Magufuli today appointed and swore in Diwani Athuman Msuya as director-general of national intelligence,” Tanzania presidency issued in a statement on its official website.
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 to other duties, the presidency said, without giving details.