Likely future TPDF chief gets key post

Dar es Salaam. The appointment by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President John Magufuli, of the new Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Venance Mabeyo, pointed to all signs that he was likely to replace Chief of Defence Forces, General Davis Mwamunyange, when he retires later in 2017.

Lt. Gen. Mabeyo who resumed his new position yesterday, was the Chief of Military Intelligence for the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) prior to his appointment.

Past experience has shown that chief military intelligence officers usually climbed up to take the top military position like it was with the current CDF General Mwamunyange.

Military sources confided to The Citizen on Sunday yesterday that the Chief of Staff usually end up taking the position due to the experience he would have gained running all army undertakings.

Lt. Gen. Mabeyo takes over from Lieutenant General Samuel Ndomba who now retires in line with the military law.

He was sworn in by President Magufuli yesterday at the State House in Dar es Salaam. “I will properly advise the CDF to enable the army perform its duties effectively,” Lt. Gen. Mabeyo was quoted in a statement from the presidential Directorate of Communications issued yesterday.

President Magufuli has also extended to one year the tenure of office for CDF Gen. Mwamunyange who was to retire today along with several other senior army officers after reaching their retirement age as per military criterion.

The extension of Gen. Mwamunyange’s tenure of office and the appointment of Lt. Gen. Mabeyo to Chief of Staff were among various changes made by President Magufuli in the army. At a press conference yesterday, Gen. Mwamunyange said his tenure in office has been extended by one year starting today. Gen. Mwamunyange was supposed to retire today according to the law, but he will instead retire on January 31, 2017.

In the new changes, President Magufuli appointed Major General James Mwakibolwa as the new head of the Land Forces Command (LFC) replacing Major General Mustafa Kijuu who has retired.

Prior to the appointment, Maj. Gen. Mwakibolwa was the head of Operations and Training at TPDF headquarters.

President Magufuli also appointed Brigadier General George Ingram as the head of Air Defence Command (ADC) replacing Maj. Gen. Joseph Kapwani who has retired.

Before his appointment, Maj. Gen. Ingram was the principal Staff Officer at the ADC.

Maj. Gen. Yakub Sirakwi has been appointed head of the National Defence Commandant (NDC) replacing Maj. Gen. Gaudence Milanzi who has been appointed permanent secretary in the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Prior to his new appointment, Maj. Gen. Sirakwi was the assistant coordinator for the National Security Council (NSC). Brig. Gen. Mwita Isamuhyo was appointed to head the National Service (JKT) replacing Maj. Gen. Raphael Muhuga who has also retired.

Before his new appointment, Maj. Gen. Isamuhyo was a director at TPDF headquarters.

Brig. Gen. Jacob Kingu was appointed to head Mzinga Corporation in Morogoro Region replacing Maj. Gen. Charles Muzanila who has retired. Prior to the new appointment Maj. Gen. Kingu was the head of Administration and Training at the National Service.

Brig. Gen. Robinson Mwanjela was appointed as the head of the Lugalo Military Health Centre. Before his appointment Brig. Gen. Mwanjela was the Chief Medical Officer at the Lugalo Military Hospital.

Brig. Gen. George Msongole was appointed new commander for the Elephant Brigade, replacing Brig. Gen. John Chacha who has retired. Before his new appointment, Brig. Gen. Msongole was a Principal Staff Officer at TPDF headquarters.

Brig. Gen. Sylvester Minja was appointed the head of the Commandant and Staff College replacing Major Ezekiel Kyunga who has retired. Brig. Gen. Minja was the head of Administration at the National Defence College (NDC).