Appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense

On November 6, 1985 President Ali Hassan Mwinyi appointed Dr. Salim as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and National Service. The Deputy Prime Minister role was a newly created position and has since been defunct.

"For I always recall the very good and challenging times that I spent as Minister of Defence of my country. It is no exaggeration that of all positions of national responsibility that I have had during more than twenty five years of public service, my position in the Defence Ministry is the most memorable, at times difficult but always challenging and exciting." - Dr. Salim, May 19, 1991