Tanzania's parliament on Thursday voted in a little-known politician to be the east African country's prime minister, former teacher Kassim Majaliwa. President John Magufuli, who himself took power earlier this month after winning October 25 elections, nominated Majaliwa as the country's new prime minister. Lawmakers in the capital Dodoma then voted with "overwhelming support" to approve the nomination, Speaker Job Ndugai said on state television.
Majaliwa, aged 60, and a stalwart of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, comes from the south-eastern Lindi district. He was a former deputy minister in the local government ministry, overseeing school education. "I promise to continue working closely with all legislators... irrespective of their political parties to serve the people," Majaliwa said after the vote, saying he was "greatly humbled" to take the post.
Magufuli's win in the October 25 poll with over 58 percent of votes cemented the long-running CCM's firm grip on power. "This is a little known politician - it is a surprise appointment," said Zainab Vullu, a member of parliament, describing him as "very humble."
Tanzania's Attorney General George Masaju described him as "hardworking, honest, diligent and co-operative." Majaliwa succeeds Mizengo Pinda, who held the post since 2008. Pinda was caught up in accusations of graft in 2014, claims he always denied. Tanzania's elections were largely peaceful, but the opposition said the vote was rigged and also claimed victory, while semi-autonomous Zanzibar - which also voted for its own president - annulled polls over irregularities.