Mbowe ends silence over Chadema’s chairmanship
Chadema Chairman, Mr. Freeman Mbowe, addresses a press conference in Dar es Salaam on December 10, 2024, following the party's review of the local government elections. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
What you need to know:
- Talks of a power struggle between Mbowe and Lissu have fuelled division within Chadema, with some members backing Mbowe and others supporting Lissu.
Dar es Salaam. The Opposition’s Chadema Party Chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe, has broken his silence regarding his future as the party chairman, stating that time will tell.
His remarks come amid growing speculation that Chadema Vice Chairman (Mainland) Tundu Lissu might challenge him for the party’s top position.
“This party has never denied anyone the chance to contest for any position. I have never stood alone, nor have I ever prevented anyone from vying for a position,” he said during a press conference yesterday, following the party’s review of local government elections.
Talks of a power struggle between Mbowe and Lissu have fuelled division within Chadema, with some members backing Mbowe and others supporting Lissu.
However, Mbowe dismissed the notion of rivalry, arguing that criticism from social media does not equate to internal party conflict.
“People say Lissu is being attacked online, but he is not the only one. Even I, along with other senior leaders, face criticism. Most of those criticising us online are not Chadema members. Do you expect CCM to mediate a truce between me and Lissu?” He queried.
On whether he would run for another term as chairman, Mbowe remained vague.
“I haven’t said I’m running. Why don’t you wait for time to reveal it? My silence doesn’t stop anyone else from speaking. Some things require patience,” he said, adding that any decision would be guided by the party’s members and leadership.
Responding to claims about his 20-year tenure, that he has held the chairmanship for too long, with some comparing him to Tanzania’s first president, Julius Nyerere.
He rejected the comparison, highlighting the differences in their roles.
“Some people say, ‘Mbowe has been in power for 20 years; he should step down.’ But is 20 years really that long? Nyerere was a public servant, he was paid a salary, and he did not face prosecution. Here, we all work as volunteers without pay,” he explained.
He revealed that Chadema’s constitution does not bar anyone from contesting the chairmanship.
“The people who will tell me, ‘Mbowe, run again,’ are these members and my fellow leaders. It’s an internal party matter. Let us manage Chadema our way,” he stated.
Also read: Chadema bigwigs line up for party elections
In a separate development, Mbowe announced that Chadema would file a lawsuit in the High Court of Tanzania to demand electoral reforms ahead of the 2025 General Election.
He accused the existing system of treating opposition parties as ‘third-class entities’ with limited rights in the electoral process.
He argued that the local government elections held on November 27, 2024 were marred by irregularities, with state institutions allegedly using force to favour the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
According to results from the elections, CCM secured 99.01 percent of the vote, while Chadema garnered only 0.79 percent, followed by ACT-Wazalendo (0.09 percent), CUF (0.08 percent), and NCCR-Mageuzi (0.01 percent).
Mbowe announced Chadema’s intention of seeking legal redress for electoral reforms.
“The Central Committee has resolved to file a case in the High Court of Tanzania to demand an independent electoral system and credible elections for local and national polls,” he said.
He stressed that the fight for electoral reform is a continuous process, not a one-day event.
“Building reforms is not a one-day event, especially when dealing with repressive systems like ours. This fight will continue until we achieve our rights,” Mbowe declared.
He added: “We are not the only ones hurt by this election; it affects all Tanzanians. We are being governed by people who did not earn the people’s mandate. We need a campaign for a better electoral system that fosters cooperation,” he urged.
Furthermore, he went on to highlight Chadema’s ongoing campaign for a new constitution and amendments to electoral laws ahead of the 2025 elections.
“The Central Committee has resolved to continue the movement for a new constitution and advocate for amendments to electoral laws ahead of the 2025 elections,” he said.
