Intelligence insights on series of leadership changes at Tanzania's spy agency TISS

President Samia Suluhu Hassan's appointment of Selemani Mombo as the new Director General of Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service (TISS) on July 11, 2024, marks a significant development in Tanzania's national security landscape. This change in leadership at such a crucial agency warrants a comprehensive analysis of its implications for Tanzania's intelligence apparatus, national security, and broader geopolitical context.

Background and Context

Selemani Mombo's appointment comes after a series of rapid leadership changes at TISS. He succeeds Ali Idi Siwa, who held the position for just over a year, having been appointed in June 2023. Prior to Siwa, Said Hussein Massoro briefly led the agency from January to June 2023, having taken over from Diwani Athumani who was in the office before President Hassan came into power in March 2021. This frequent turnover in TISS leadership raises questions about the stability and continuity of Tanzania's intelligence operations.