Chadema leadership battle reaches ‘critical juncture’
Members of the Chadema Women’s Council (Bawacha) during their general election meeting in Dar es Salaam on January 19, 2025. PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
What you need to know:
- The next 48 hours will determine the party’s national leadership, including the election of the chairman, with candidates Mbowe, Lissu and Odero competing for the top position
Dar es Salaam. The next 48 hours or so will be crucial as Chadema embarks on a highly competitive leadership race.
This important period will determine the party’s national leadership, including the election of the chairman, with candidates Freeman Mbowe, Tundu Lissu, and Charles Odero competing for the top position.
The outcome of this race is expected to shape the party’s future for the next five years.
During the first 24 hours, the Central Committee of Chadema will convene to elect members of the party’s executive committee.
These members will have significant decision-making power within the party, representing the grassroots and guiding Chadema’s political agenda in the coming years.
Following this, the next 24 hours will focus on the general election conference, during which the national chairman and vice-chairpersons for mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar will be elected.
Although both sessions are scheduled to last 24 hours, past elections within Chadema have often shown that such meetings can extend beyond the planned timeframe.
For example, the Youth Council election, known by its Kiswahili acronym Bavicha, which was supposed to conclude in 24 hours on January 13, ended up running until 1:15 PM the following day.
Similarly, the Elder’s Council election (Bazecha) was completed on the morning of January 14, despite starting the previous day. The Women’s Council meeting (Bawacha) took two full days, from January 16 to January 18.
This 48-hour period will be critical for Chadema, as both Mbowe’s and Lissu’s camps believe they possess the influence and support needed to win.
Political analysts predict a closely contested race, with the winner likely to emerge by a narrow margin. According to Dr Revocatus Kabobe, a political science lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania, both candidates have substantial influence within the party, making this contest particularly fierce.
“The two factions—Lissu’s and Mbowe’s—have captured the attention and emotions of the electorate,” Dr Kabobe stated. “One of them will probably win, but by a very slim margin. Both sides currently feel equally positioned.”
The Central Committee meeting, commencing today at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam, will play a vital role in shaping the party’s future. It aims to elect members to the executive committee, responsible for representing the party’s grassroots in key decisions.
The committee comprises leaders from various levels of Chadema, including district chairpersons, regional secretaries, treasurers, and representatives elected from subcommittees like Bazecha, Bavicha, and Bawacha.
The general meeting scheduled for tomorrow will be the climax of this leadership race. This event will determine Chadema’s new national chairman, with Freeman Mbowe, Tundu Lissu, and Charles Odero as the contenders.
The meeting will also elect the vice-chairpersons for mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, including representatives from various branches of the party, such as members of the Central Committee, district chairpersons, members of Parliament, and delegates from Chadema’s youth, women’s, and elders’ councils.
Political analysts like Lusungu Mubofu believe that the next 48 hours will not be easy. The outcome will significantly impact Chadema’s future and could lead to divisions within the party, especially if the results are perceived as unfair by one faction.
“The next 48 hours will decide not only who will lead Chadema but could also cause significant internal rifts,” Mr Mubofu warned.
“The party will likely face greater internal division, particularly if one faction perceives the outcome as unjust.”
Chadema’s general secretary, John Mnyika, has emphasised that the upcoming meeting is not just an ordinary gathering but a symbolic occasion.
He highlighted that January 21 marks the anniversary of Chadema’s full registration in 1993, following its founding in 1992.
This year’s anniversary theme is “Stronger Together.” Mr Mnyika also took the opportunity to honour those who have sacrificed for Chadema’s cause, urging party members to reflect on individuals who lost their lives in the fight for justice, such as Ally Kibao, Alfonce Mawazo, and Daudi Mwangosi.
Additionally, Mnyika announced that delegates had begun arriving in Dar es Salaam days prior to the meeting. Reliable sources confirmed that delegates from regions such as Tanga arrived as early as January 16 and 17.
These delegates were accommodated in special camps, with their lodging, meals, and transportation arranged by the party. Several Toyota VOX vehicles were hired to transport delegates to their accommodations and the meeting venue.
Furthermore, it was revealed that youth trained specifically for crowd control have been deployed to manage any potential disruptions outside the conference hall. This extra layer of security will complement the regular security personnel provided.
