Mbowe to form truth and reconciliation commission if elected Chadema chair

Dar es Salaam. The Chairman of Chadema, Freeman Mbowe, said on Friday, January 17, 2025 that he will propose to the general assembly that internal elections be held every three years instead of the current five-year interval if he successfully defends his position as position.

Mbowe, who is defending the role he has held for 21 years, told Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) journalists that the proposed changes would allow the party to prepare adequately for local government elections.

The move, he said, would also allow Chadema to have two years of preparation for the general elections, thereby avoiding the challenges currently being experienced.

Chadema elections are scheduled for 21st January 2025 in Dar es Salaam.

In this election, Mbowe is competing against two other candidates, including Charles Odero and the party’s Mainland Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu. The race has sparked intense debates both within and outside the party.

Mbowe reiterated that, if re-elected, he would propose a three-year leadership term to the general assembly, enabling the party to adequately prepare for local government elections and the general elections.

“If the current leadership takes office in 2025, it means that by January 2028, we should begin internal elections to ensure that by 2029, we have new leadership in place,” said Mbowe.

He further explained, “The leadership would then have one year to prepare for local government elections and two years for the general elections. This would help us avoid the disarray we have faced this time.”

Mbowe also pledged to form a Truth and Reconciliation Commission if re-elected as the party’s chairman.

He noted that the party’s internal elections, conducted from grassroots levels to the national level and concluding on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, had been marred by significant conflicts that require reconciliation.

“Once the elections are over, we will adopt a globally recognised process of reconciliation to heal the wounds caused by the election process,” he said.

Mbowe added, “We will form a Truth and Reconciliation Commission because there has been a lot of infighting. Many people have been hurt. If I am re-elected, I will convene everyone so we can dialogue and move forward together, as we all need each other.”