D-Day for CHADEMA’s leadership race

DAR ES SALAAM: THE much-anticipated intraparty election of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), the country’s main opposition party, takes place today, drawing significant attention from party members, political analysts and diplomats alike.

This election will determine the party’s top leadership positions, including the chairperson and vice-chairpersons, drawing significant attention from party members, political analysts and diplomats.

The chairmanship race is particularly notable, as it pits the incumbent chairperson, Freeman Mbowe, against prominent challenger, the current Vice-Chairman, Tundu Lissu and another member, Charles Odero.

The election has become a critical moment of internal competition, with Vice-Chairperson (Mainland) Tundu Lissu directly challenging Mbowe, who has held the position since 2004.

At the opening of the party’s Central Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday, a preparatory session for today’s general meeting, Mr Mbowe urged members to focus on unity and the growth of the party.

“We will fight for this party, build it and organise it. In the face of differences, we will engage in dialogue so that CHADEMA remains the champion of justice, freedom, democracy and development for all,” said Mr Mbowe.

Mr Mbowe stressed that CHADEMA must showcase its commitment to internal democracy, demonstrating that it is not only an opposition party but also one prepared to govern Tanzania. Before taking the nomination form to contest the chairmanship in December, Mr Mbowe met with journalists and supporters in the city, to officially announce his intention to seek re-election.

He also informed party members that, if re-elected, this would be his final term as CHADEMA chairperson. He emphasised his energy and readiness to continue leading.

“Those who say that I am tired, I don’t know what criteria they are using to claim that. I am very energetic and can hold eight rallies in one day without eating,” he stated.

Mr Mbowe also stressed that term limits in CHADEMA are determined through the ballot box, not arbitrarily, expressing confidence in his candidacy while asserting that only the people’s vote can decide his future. Meanwhile, Mr Lissu, seen as a strong contender, said he planned to reshape the party’s future.

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Briefing journalists in December, Lissu stated that his decision to contest the chairmanship followed careful consideration of the party’s current needs and Tanzania’s political environment.

“I have formally submitted a notice to the party’s secretary to withdraw my intention to contest for the Vice-Chairman position. Instead, I have officially declared my intention to vie for the position of national chairman,” he said.

He emphasised that opposing his candidacy would contradict the party’s constitution and the leadership transition principles established by its founders, Edwin Mtei and Bob Makani.

“Any CHADEMA member or anyone else who finds my decision surprising or objectionable must either have forgotten, be unaware of, or unwilling to honour the principles left by our founding fathers, which emphasise free and fair elections,” he said.

He underscored the importance of preserving the party’s traditions and resisting efforts to introduce practices that could undermine its core values. He added that the current political climate in Tanzania calls for a leader with integrity and public trust.

“We are in a new phase of politics in our country and this moment requires a leader with a history of integrity and societal acceptance. I believe my record of public trust and commitment to the party is widely recognised,” he said.

CHADEMA’s elections have attracted 300 candidates vying for various leadership positions, with 56 competing for top roles.

Party’s Secretary General, John Mnyika, had recently announced that the race for ViceChairperson (Mainland) has three candidates: Ezekiel Wenje, John Heche and Mathayo Gekul. For the Vice-Chairperson (Zanzibar) position, the candidates are Said Mzee Said, Said Issa Mohamed, Suleiman Makame Issa and Hafidh Aly Saleh.