What next after Nchimbi lands powerful post within CCM?

Dar es Salaam. The newly picked CCM secretary-general, Emmanuel Nchimbi, faces the challenge of strengthening pluralism by promoting good relations between the ruling party and the opposition, political commentators have said.

Reacting to the appointment of Dr Nchimbi as CCM secretary-general on Monday, January 15, commentators noted that Dr Nchimbi will also have to work hard to end factions that have adversely affected the ruling party’s image.

A cleric, Dr Charles Kitima, said that the new CCM chief executive should be mindful that he is leading a ruling party that has embraced pluralism since 1992 and which, despite winning elections, has been losing popularity. This means Dr Nchimbi has a hard task to restore people’s confidence in the party.

“Political relations with opposition parties have been strained since 2016. I challenge Dr Nchimbi to work towards reinstating and fostering good relations between the CCM and the opposition,” Dr Kitima, who is also the secretary general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), said.

 Independent political analyst, Mr Buberwa Kaiza, emphasised that Dr Nchimbi faces a significant challenge in bringing an end to factions that have been negatively impacting the party's political fortunes and prospects.

“He has a huge task of finding a midpoint for members from all walks of life in order to benefit the ruling party and the country in general,” he said over the phone.

Furthermore, Mr Kaiza said the new CCM secretary general is tasked with ensuring that messages conveyed by senior cadres preach unity, reconciliation and peace instead of intensifying divisions and contradictions.

 Chadema weighs in

Chadema's director of Protocol, Communications and Foreign Affairs, John Mrema, welcomed Dr Nchimbi into the realm of political struggles, saying the seasoned politician has to make a choice between reforming the party and keeping on with old, single-party antics.

“He is going to lead a political party that is intimidated by open discussions and political rallies. He has to choose. He can opt for the old system or change the situation,” he said.

He called upon Dr Nchimbi to be prepared for argumentative politics instead of authoritarian politics.

“Choosing authoritarian politics will make him among the short-serving secretary generals because there is no place in the world where reticent politics emerged victorious,” said Mr Mrema.

Speaking on the appointment, a CCM cadre and former chairperson of the party’s women wing (UWT), Ms Sophia Simba, said Dr Nchimbi is the right person for the job because he isn’t a hypocrite.

She said the ruling party needed someone of his quality, experience and capabilities to serve effectively as the party secretary-general. “He is also factionless,” she noted.

Ambassador Christopher Liundi described Dr Nchimbi as a politician with deep roots within CCM, saying he started his political career within the party at a tender age.

“I remember his father (John Nchimbi) was the CCM secretary for Kigoma Region when I was serving as the Regional Commissioner (RC). It was during this period that Dr Nchimbi started to develop an interest in politics,” he said.

His experience, Amb Liundi said, which includes serving as a diplomat in Brazil and Egypt, will enable him to effectively and efficiently resolve internal disputes.

“I have confidence in him. I have no doubt about him. The most important thing is for members to accord him all the support they need to enable him to achieve his intended goals,” said the former Tanzanian envoy to France.

His predecessor, Mr Daniel Chongolo, took to his official Instagram page to congratulate Dr Nchimbi for the trust he had been given by the ruling party.

“I extend heartfelt congratulations to Ambassador Emmanuel Nchimbi for earning the trust of CCM Chairperson President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the approval of the NEC meeting. They have entrusted you with the responsibility to carry the CCM flag as the chief executive officer, or party’s secretary-general,” he writes.

“The trust bestowed upon you by the CCM NEC meeting remains exceptionally high. Congratulations and best of luck in your new role,” he added.

 Who is Dr Nchimbi?

Dr Nchimbi was born on December 24, 1971. He received his primary education at Oysterbay Primary School between 1980 and 1986.

He joined Uru Secondary School, where he studied for three years between 1987 and 1989. He was then transferred to Sangu Secondary School, where he completed Form IV in 1990.

He then joined Forest Hill Secondary School in Mbeya for advanced secondary education from 1991 to 1993.

Thereafter, he joined the Institute of Development Management (IDM-Mzumbe) in Morogoro for an advanced diploma in public administration between 1994 and 1997.

Between 2001 and 2003, he pursued a master’s degree in banking and finance at Mzumbe University and then a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the same university between 2008 and 2011.

 Employment, political career

Dr Nchimbi was appointed as a member of the CCM NEC in 1997, shortly after completing his advanced diploma studies. Subsequently, he was elected as the CCM youth wing's (UVCCM) national chairperson in 1998.

He was also an employee of the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) between 1998 and 2003.

He served as Bunda District Commissioner between 2003 and 2005, before winning the Songea urban constituency seat during the 2005 General Election. He was re-elected in 2010.

After being elected MP, he served as deputy minister in different dockets, including Information, Culture and Sports (January 6, 2006 to October 16, 2006); Labour, Employment and Youth Development (2006–2008); and Minister of Information, Culture, Sports and Youths (February 13, 2008 to November 28, 2010).

He was then appointed minister for Home Affairs. He resigned in 2013, but remained serving as an MP.

He decided not to contest the Songea urban parliamentary elections in 2015 but was subsequently appointed Tanzania’s ambassador to Brazil (2016–2021) and Egypt (2022–2023).