GEORGE MASAJU PROFILE

DATE OF BIRTH
April 7, 1965

GENDER
Male

OCCUPATION
Judge

George Masaju Biography

George Masaju is the current Chief Justice of Tanzania, heading the Court of Appeal. He rose to the position after being appointed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on June 13, 2025, and was officially sworn into office on June 15, 2025.

Born on April 7, 1965, in Musoma District, Mara Region, Masaju holds a law degree from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).

He succeeded Professor Ibrahim Hamis Juma, who retired after serving for more than seven years. With his appointment, Masaju became the ninth person to hold the office of Chief Justice of Tanzania.

Upon his appointment, he pledged to remain a dedicated public servant.

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He promised that the judiciary would provide timely and fair justice for all citizens, delivering justice without discrimination based on social or economic status.

Before joining the Court of Appeal, Justice Masaju served as the Attorney General (AG) of Tanzania. He was appointed to the position on January 3, 2015, by then President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and continued to serve under President John Pombe Magufuli until February 1, 2018.

In February 2018, President Magufuli appointed Masaju as a Judge of the High Court of Tanzania. Earlier in his career, Masaju also served as Legal Adviser to President Kikwete during the Fourth-Phase Administration (2005–2015).

Other Roles

Earlier in 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed Justice Masaju to the Land Issues Commission, one of two special teams formed to address long-standing concerns in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).

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The appointment followed President Hassan’s pledge, made on December 1, 2024, during a meeting with Maasai traditional leaders from the NCA, to establish commissions to address their grievances.

Notable Achievements

As Attorney General, Masaju oversaw major legislative reforms, including the Access to Information Act and the Media Services Act, as well as key amendments to mineral and natural resource management laws.

He has been an advocate for wildlife conservation and the enforcement of environmental and natural resource laws.

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