Bernard Kamilius Member: Spy, Diplomat, Politician

Bernard Kamilius Membe was a prominent figure in Tanzanian politics, known for his expertise as a spy master, diplomat and politician. Born on November 9, 1953, in Mtama, Lindi region, he began his career as a national security analyst for Tanzania's intelligence service, where he served from 1978 to 1989.

Membe was a gifted student, attending Rondo-Chiponda Extended Primary School, Namupa Seminary Secondary School for his O Levels and Itaga Seminary High School for his A Levels. He furthered his education by studying political science at the University of Dar es Salaam and international relations at Johns Hopkins University.

After completing his university studies, he worked as a security advisor to the President's Office from 1978 to 1989 after which he took ent for farther studies. After completing his master's at John Hopkins University in Washington DC he served as a security advisor for the Tanzania High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, from 1992 to 2000. In 2000, he was elected as the member of parliament for Mtama, a position he held until 2015.

In 2005, President Jakaya Kikwete appointed him as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, and later as the Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals after a cabinet reshuffle in 2006. In January 2007, he was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, a position he held until 2015.

In 2013, Membe informed his constituents that he would not be vying for a seat in the next parliamentary elections in 2015, leading to speculation that he may be considering a run for the presidency. In 2015, he unsuccessfully sought the CCM nomination for president, which eventually went to John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, who became the fifth president of Tanzania.

After the election, Membe became active in opposition politics and famously joined ACT Wazalendo in 2020, becoming the party's presidential nominee. In March 2022, he officially returned to CCM after the death of President Magufuli, who chaired the meeting that led to his ouster from the party in 2020.

Membe's death came as a shock to many, but his footprints in Tanzanian politics will never be forgotten. He was a spy master extraordinaire, diplomat, and a politician for the ages, leaving behind a legacy that will live on. May he rest in eternal bliss.