Tanzania Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026

AFRICA · TANZANIA

Power in Tanzania sits with the president and her ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), after an October 2025 election in which she was declared the winner with 97.66 percent of the vote. As of October 2026 the main office holders are President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, Speaker Mussa Zungu and Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi.

The President and the Ruling Party

Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as president on 19 March 2021 after the sudden death of John Magufuli, and State House’s profile of her calls her the sixth president of the republic. She also chairs CCM, according to the registrar of political parties’ record of the party.

CCM’s secretary general, the party’s chief administrator, is Ambassador Asha-Rose Migiro, and the registrar’s record shows the party has held permanent registration since 1 July 1992. Its national headquarters are in Dodoma, the capital, where Parliament, the election commission and several ministries also sit.

The president works from two State Houses: she chaired a Cabinet meeting at the State House in Dar es Salaam on 21 October 2026, and she watched the new vice president take the oath at the State House in Chamwino, Dodoma, on 29 August 2026. On 15 October 2026 she received the credentials of the new American ambassador, William Trachman, and of the European Union’s new ambassador, Jean-Marc Pisani, at State House in Dar es Salaam.

The president’s government points to large projects as proof of delivery, among them the Julius Nyerere hydropower station in Rufiji, which she inaugurated on 22 August 2026 with Egypt’s prime minister, Mostafa Madbouly, photographed beside her. The foreign minister told Parliament in May 2026 that her election by a landslide in October 2025 showed the great confidence Tanzanians have in her and her government.

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The October 2025 Election in Brief

Tanzania held its general election on 29 October 2025, and on 1 November 2025 the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Samia the winner with 31,913,866 votes, or 97.66 percent of 32,678,844 valid votes. Seventeen parties fielded presidential candidates, and Emmanuel Nchimbi, her running mate, was declared vice president.

The commission’s own list of the 17 parties does not include CHADEMA, the main opposition party, or ACT-Wazalendo, another opposition party. Under Article 41 of the 1977 constitution, as the commission’s chairman read it out on 1 November 2025, no court may inquire into the election of a president once the commission has declared the winner.

Human Rights Watch says that on and after election day police and people in plainclothes killed hundreds of protesters and bystanders, and that the government arrested more than 2,000 people, some of whom were later released. President Samia set up a commission of inquiry in November 2025, and on 23 April 2026 it handed her its findings, with its chairman, Mohamed Chande Othman, reporting 518 deaths documented across 11 regions.

The commission’s full report has not been made public, and its chairman noted that the figure of 518 may not be conclusive. Human Rights Watch says a second commission, set up since then, will reportedly look at the planning of the unrest and the use of force, and it noted in October 2026 that the authorities have yet to make any arrest for rights violations committed before and during the vote.

The Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet

Deogratius John Ndejembi is vice president, having taken the oath on 29 August 2026 at State House in Chamwino, Dodoma, according to the Vice President’s Office website. State House says the ruling party put his name forward and Parliament confirmed it, while the same website shows his predecessor, Emmanuel Nchimbi, in a caption dated 26 July 2026.

His office is responsible for Union affairs and the environment, and its headquarters are in the government city of Mtumba in Dodoma. On 3 October 2026 the foreign ministry’s site carried his call on African countries to speed up the implementation of agreed joint development plans.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, whom Parliament approved for the post, leads the Prime Minister’s Office, whose departments cover policy, coordination and government business, disaster coordination and private-sector development. His office’s site shows him representing the president at a United Nations food and agriculture meeting in Rome on 23 September 2026, meeting Qatar’s prime minister in Doha on 28 September 2026, and speaking on African farming at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, on 22 October 2026.

The ministers who matter most to outsiders, as their ministries’ own sites list them as of October 2026, are Mahmoud Thabit Kombo at foreign affairs and East African cooperation, Khamis Mussa Omar at finance, Rhimo Nyansaho at defense and national service, and Patrobas Katambi at home affairs. Kitila Mkumbo is minister of state for planning and investment in the president’s office, and in October 2026 he presented the government’s plan for 2027-28 to Parliament, which a report on the national plan covers.

Palamagamba Kabudi is minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office for policy, Parliament, coordination and persons with disabilities. Attorney General Hamza Johari heads the office that vets government contracts and drafts legislation, according to its website.

Parliament and the Opposition

The National Assembly is led by Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu, who has held the post since 2025 and whom the foreign minister called the eighth speaker, with Daniel Baran Sillo as deputy speaker. Its fifth meeting of the 13th Parliament opened in Dodoma in October 2026 and is due to adjourn on 6 November 2026.

The ruling party holds nearly all of the women’s special seats: of the 115 the election commission filled on 7 November 2025, 113 went to CCM and two to the opposition party CHAUMMA. The commission added that the last of the 116 special seats would be filled after elections are completed in the Fuoni constituency in Zanzibar and the Siha constituency on the mainland.

CHADEMA, short for Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo, still appears on the registrar’s list of parties as of October 2026, but it was not among the 17 parties with a presidential candidate in 2025. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, is on trial for treason, and on 21 October 2026 the authorities also charged a CHADEMA official, John Pambalu, with treason, according to Human Rights Watch.

Treason carries the death penalty in Tanzania, Human Rights Watch notes, and it describes CHADEMA as the main opposition party. The registrar, retired judge Francis Mutungi, supervises the parties, and on 7 October 2026 Minister Kabudi launched the sixth Political Parties Council, a forum for party leaders under the Political Parties Act, at an event of his office in Dar es Salaam.

The next test of the opposition is a by-election in the Chamwino constituency of Dodoma on 4 November 2026, alongside council by-elections in 11 wards on the mainland. The commission named 16 candidates on 15 October 2026, one from CCM and 15 from smaller parties including NCCR-Mageuzi, ADC and CHAUMMA, and neither CHADEMA nor ACT-Wazalendo is on the list.

Courts, Election Officials and the Security Forces

The election commission is chaired by Justice Jacobs Mwambegele, a Court of Appeal judge, with retired judge Mbarouk Salim Mbarouk as vice chairman and Ramadhani Kailima as director of elections, its website shows. Because of the constitutional rule read out on 1 November 2025, a presidential result declared by the commission cannot be challenged in court.

Courts do hear political cases, and the treason trial of Tundu Lissu has continued this year, according to Human Rights Watch. The Judiciary of Tanzania’s website lists judgments, cause lists and announcements, and the registrar of political parties is himself a retired judge.

The Tanzania People’s Defence Force answers to the Ministry of Defence and National Service, whose permanent secretary is Faraji Kasidi Mnyepe, and its published duties include defending the constitution and the borders and helping civil authorities in disasters. The army’s chief of staff, Lieutenant General Salum Haji Othman, joined Minister Nyansaho at the state-owned Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre in Kibaha, near Dar es Salaam, on 24 October 2026.

The police fall under Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi and his deputy, Ayoub Mohammed Mahmoud, as the ministry’s website shows. On 21 May 2026 the State Department barred Senior Assistant Commissioner Faustine Jackson Mafwele of the Tanzanian Police Force from entering the United States, citing credible information that he was involved in gross violations of human rights.

Zanzibar and the Union

Tanzania is a union of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, and Zanzibar keeps its own government, called the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, and its own president. Hussein Ali Mwinyi was re-elected president of Zanzibar and chairman of its Revolutionary Council in October 2025, the foreign minister told Parliament in May 2026.

The union is marked each 26 April and the Zanzibar revolution each 12 January in the national events the defense ministry lists, and the Vice President’s Office keeps a department for Union affairs. The ruling party keeps a sub-office of its headquarters in Zanzibar on Kisiwandui Karume Road in Unguja, the registrar’s record shows.

Foreign relations are handled by the union government’s foreign ministry, which told Parliament in May 2026 that it would keep Zanzibar’s specific interests in view because of the unique importance of the union. Zanzibar has its own investment promotion authority, ZIPA, which the ministry names among the bodies it works with to draw foreign investors, for example at a Zanzibar-India business forum in July 2025.

The United States and Other Foreign Powers

On 4 December 2025 the State Department announced a comprehensive review of the relationship, citing restrictions on religious freedom and free speech, obstacles to American investment and violence against civilians around the 29 October elections. It added that these actions put American citizens, tourists and interests at risk, and that the future of the relationship depends on what the Tanzanian government does.

A presidential proclamation of 16 December 2025 partly suspends entry for Tanzanians on immigrant visas and on B-1, B-2, F, M and J nonimmigrant visas from 1 January 2026, with exceptions such as lawful permanent residents. On 21 May 2026 Senators Ted Cruz and Jeanne Shaheen introduced a bill that would authorize sanctions and visa bans and suspend some security, development and trade assistance until the Secretary of State certifies that Tanzania has made meaningful democratic reforms.

Cooperation continues alongside the pressure: on 1 July 2026 the two governments signed a five-year health memorandum under which the United States intends to provide more than US$1.3 billion, working with Congress, and Tanzania US$1.8 billion, a US$3.1 billion total. William Trachman presented his credentials as US ambassador on 15 October 2026, and the embassy’s alert of October 2026 told Americans to avoid public gatherings around the anniversary of the election violence.

Tanzania also courts other partners: its foreign ministry says it secured US$20.5 million from Russia for farm, energy and education projects at a ministerial meeting in December 2025, and on 28 September 2026 the prime minister witnessed the signing of a political and diplomatic cooperation agreement with Qatar in Doha. The prime minister has also addressed a Tanzania-Britain investment forum in London, according to his office’s site.

What It Means for US Readers

American travelers face a Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, advisory dated 16 October 2026, which cites crime, terrorism, health, unrest, arbitrary enforcement of laws and the targeting of gay and lesbian people. It adds that US citizens have been detained or prevented from leaving the country for several weeks without criminal charges, and that the government may limit the internet and phone service around unrest.

The advisory also says to reconsider travel to the border area between Tanzania and Mozambique in the Mtwara Region because of terrorism. The US embassy’s alert of October 2026 advised avoiding public gatherings, keeping a low profile and monitoring local media.

A new entry rule applies to every foreign visitor: since 1 October 2026 the Ministry of Finance requires inbound travel insurance covering medical emergencies for people entering mainland Tanzania, valid for up to 92 days at a premium of US$44 per visitor. Visitors entering through the mainland buy it from the National Insurance Corporation, and those entering through Zanzibar buy it from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.

For Tanzanians with family, school or business ties to the United States, the December 2025 proclamation matters more than any advisory, because it limits immigrant visas and the main visitor, student and exchange visas. Anyone planning such a trip should check the current proclamation and the State Department’s visa pages before paying for tickets.

Investors should note that the State Department lists obstacles to American investment among the reasons for its review, while Tanzania’s foreign ministry points to US$300 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation, routed through CRDB Bank, to strengthen health services. Policy on investment is set by the president and her cabinet, and reports on Tanzania’s geopolitics and on the US response to the post-election deaths track how Washington’s stance is moving.

Two dates are worth watching: the Chamwino by-election on 4 November 2026 and the end of Parliament’s session on 6 November 2026. The Tanzania news hub follows both, and the country guide and the explainer on the CHADEMA treason charges give the wider picture.

What Is Not Known

The commission’s full report has not been published, so the cause of the killings and the exact number of dead remain disputed, and its chairman himself noted that 518 may not be a conclusive figure. A second commission is reported to be examining the planning of the unrest and the use of force, but it is not clear whether it will lead to the prosecution of those responsible for abuses by security forces.

The official pages read for this guide do not say why Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi left office within a year of the election. This guide names neither the Chief of Defence Forces nor the Chief Justice, because no official page that could be read names them for October 2026.

Whether CHADEMA will be allowed to contest future elections is not stated on any official page read for this guide, and the registrar’s list still carries it as a registered party. The outcome and timing of the treason trial of its leader, Tundu Lissu, are also unknown.

How far the US review will go is not known, because the sanctions bill was only introduced on 21 May 2026 and the State Department has not said what would end the review. The entry limits described here are those of the proclamation of 16 December 2025, and any later change would appear on the White House website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the president of Tanzania?

Samia Suluhu Hassan has been president since 19 March 2021 and was declared the winner of the October 2025 election with 97.66 percent of the vote. She also chairs the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi.

Who is Tanzania’s vice president?

Deogratius Ndejembi took the oath on 29 August 2026 at State House in Chamwino, Dodoma. State House says the ruling party nominated him and Parliament confirmed the nomination before the oath.

Is CHADEMA still a registered party?

The registrar’s website still lists CHADEMA among registered parties as of October 2026, but the election commission’s list of 17 presidential parties in 2025 did not include it. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, is on trial for treason.

Does Zanzibar have its own president?

Yes, Hussein Ali Mwinyi is president of Zanzibar and chairman of its Revolutionary Council, re-elected in October 2025. Zanzibar keeps its own government within the union, while President Samia leads the union government.

Is it safe for Americans to visit Tanzania?

The State Department rates Tanzania Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, in an advisory dated 16 October 2026. It advises reconsidering travel to the Mtwara border area with Mozambique, and the embassy’s alert of October 2026 adds a call to avoid public gatherings.

Can Tanzanians get US visas?

A presidential proclamation of 16 December 2025 partly suspends immigrant visas and B-1, B-2, F, M and J visas for Tanzanians from 1 January 2026, with exceptions such as lawful permanent residents. Check the State Department’s visa pages for the current rules.

Do foreign visitors need travel insurance in Tanzania?

Yes, since 1 October 2026 foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania must buy inbound travel insurance from the National Insurance Corporation, at US$44 per visitor for up to 92 days. Visitors entering through Zanzibar buy it from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.

Sources: State House, profile of the president; State House, home page and photo captions, October 2026; State House, press release on the vice president’s oath, 29 August 2026; Independent National Electoral Commission, declaration of the presidential result, 1 November 2025; Independent National Electoral Commission, women’s special seats, 7 November 2025; Independent National Electoral Commission, Chamwino by-election candidates, 15 October 2026; Independent National Electoral Commission, home page, October 2026; Office of the Vice President, home page, October 2026; Prime Minister’s Office, home page, October 2026; Parliament, notice of the fifth meeting, 27 October 2026; Parliament, home page, 30 October 2026; Registrar of Political Parties, record of CCM; Registrar of Political Parties, launch of the sixth Political Parties Council, 7 October 2026; Registrar of Political Parties, home page, October 2026; Ministry of Defence and National Service, news of 24 October 2026; Ministry of Defence and National Service, home page, October 2026; Ministry of Home Affairs, home page, October 2026; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, budget speech to Parliament, May 2026; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, home page, October 2026; Ministry of Finance, public notice on inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors, published 2 October 2026; Ministry of Finance, home page, October 2026; Office of the Attorney General, home page, October 2026; Judiciary of Tanzania, home page; US State Department, travel advisories feed, 16 October 2026 entry for Tanzania; US State Department, review of the relationship with Tanzania, 4 December 2025; US State Department, designation of a Tanzanian police official, 21 May 2026; White House, proclamation on entry restrictions, 16 December 2025; US Senate, Cruz and Shaheen bill on Tanzania, 21 May 2026; US State Department, health memorandum with Tanzania, 1 July 2026; US Embassy Dar es Salaam, credentials of Ambassador Trachman, 15 October 2026; US Embassy Dar es Salaam, security alert, 28 October 2026; Human Rights Watch, no accountability one year after the election violence, 28 October 2026; Human Rights Watch, on the commission of inquiry, 5 May 2026.

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