Mbowe dismisses claims that the diaspora have rejected his leadership

Dar es Salaam. Opposition party Chadema’s national Chairman Freeman Mbowe has brushed off claims circulating on social media that the Tanzanian diaspora does not support his continued leadership.

In an interview with journalists at Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) at the company’s headquarters in Tabata Relini, Dar es Salaam, Mr Mbowe asserted that such claims were propagated by a small group of individuals.

Mr Mbowe said the group didn’t represent the views of the wider Tanzanian diaspora, which extends across thousands of people globally.

“It’s unfair for a small group of activists, whether aligned with any political party or not, to claim they represent the entire Tanzanian diaspora,” said Mr Mbowe.

“These so-called diaspora critics, who engage in online insults, are just a handful—less than fifty people. Even if they increase, they still wouldn't represent the majority. The diaspora consists of more than 70,000 people,” he added.

Mr Mbowe expressed his surprise at the attention these claims have garnered, particularly as they emerged after his imprisonment.

He acknowledged the diaspora’s contributions to his party’s campaigns but emphasised that the diaspora is far more diverse than the online vocal minority.

“These voices have only become prominent during the time I was incarcerated. It was during that period that platforms like Clubhouse gained attention. But we can’t allow a few people to dictate the direction of Chadema or make decisions for the party,” he said.

Mr Mbowe made it clear that discussions within the party’s Central Committee (CC) should not be aired out on platforms like Clubhouse, which he sees as a space for a small fraction of the diaspora, not a true representation of Tanzanians abroad.

“These individuals, who want to wrest control of Chadema from its legitimate leadership, are not even members of the party,” Mr Mbowe said, stressing that such people do not have the party’s best interests at heart.

“I’m surprised that some party leaders are sharing confidential information with them,” he added.

Reflecting on his own time as part of the diaspora while studying in the US, Mr Mbowe emphasised that many Tanzanians abroad hold important positions and are active in a variety of sectors, but not necessarily in high-profile groups like those on Clubhouse or "Sauti ya Watanzania."

“The diaspora is diverse. Some do not support Chadema at all, others do, and we have party branches in places like Guangzhou, the US, Europe, and South Africa,” he said, drawing attention to the variety of views within the diaspora.

Mr Mbowe’s comments reaffirm his position that the views of a vocal few should not be mistaken for those of the entire Tanzanian diaspora.