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Opposition party leader Dorothy to challenge Samia in 2025 presidential elections
ACT-Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu
What you need to know:
- Ms Semu expressed confidence in her readiness to win, stating that she is not entering the race to lose. She is prepared to face off against President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is expected to seek re-election under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
Dar es Salaam. ACT-Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu announced her intention to run for the presidency of the United Republic of Tanzania in the upcoming general election later this year. She cited four key factors that motivated her decision.
Ms Semu expressed confidence in her readiness to win, stating that she is not entering the race to lose. She is prepared to face off against President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is expected to seek re-election under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
Her announcement follows a recent decision by her party to allow members to declare their candidacy for various positions in the October 2025 polls. Speaking to reporters, Ms Semu explained that her conviction in her abilities prompted her to vie for the presidency.
“I’m here to declare my intention to run for president in 2025,” she said, highlighting the four key issues that drove her decision.
“Our nation is facing various challenges that hinder social and economic development, and we need new energy to address these issues,” she stated. The first factor she identified is the declining economic growth in the country.
Other issues she mentioned include the rising cost of living, youth unemployment, and poor management of the country’s natural resources. Citing the World Bank’s 2024 report, Ms Semu pointed out that Tanzania’s economic growth rate fell from 6.8 percent in 2019 to 4.6 percent in 2023.
“This decline is due to unstable investment policies and weak implementation of development projects,” she explained. Regarding the rising cost of living, she noted that inflation continues to be a concern. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that inflation was at 3.1 percent in December 2024.
Ms Semu also addressed youth unemployment, referencing a 2019 report by the Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA), which revealed that about one million youths graduate annually, yet only 250,000 find employment in government and private sectors. “At this rate, a graduate takes an average of 5.5 years to secure a job. The government has failed to sufficiently invest in sectors with high employment potential, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology,” she said. Furthermore, she criticized the mismanagement of natural resources, citing a 2023 report by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), which indicated a loss of Sh450 billion due to poorly managed projects and non-transparent contracts. She asserted that such findings highlight a failure to combat corruption and misuse public resources. “Fellow Tanzanians, our nation needs new leadership that will safeguard national interests, build a robust economy, promote equal opportunities, and ensure transparent governance,” she stated.
Her vision as President
Speaking about her readiness to lead, Ms Semu highlighted her leadership experience as a significant asset. “I have been involved in leadership and politics for ten years, and I believe I am ready. Additionally, I belong to a party with solid policies and a visionary manifesto that stands out and is self-driven,” she said.
Ms Semu noted that ACT-Wazalendo, established ten years ago, has been growing steadily and implementing sustainable strategies that position it as a capable and organized party. “These strategies are guiding us toward forming a government, and they will help us win enough constituencies to achieve this,” she added. When asked about her potential running mate, Ms Semu revealed that she has already identified a candidate. “I will propose the name to my party. If the party approves, we will proceed together. If not, I am open to the party assigning me a running mate,” she said.
She emphasized that ACT-Wazalendo has a team ready to govern if given the mandate. “We have a shadow cabinet of party members preparing to take on various roles should ACT-Wazalendo form the government,” she said. Despite her early announcement of interest, Ms. Semu assured that her declaration does not prevent other party members from expressing their intentions to run for the presidency.
Opposition Alliances
Regarding the possibility of opposition parties uniting to unseat CCM, as suggested by some leaders, including Hashim Rungwe of Chauma, Ms Semu expressed ACT-Wazalendo’s readiness to collaborate with serious opposition parties to achieve victory. “It is something to consider. However, as we prepare for that, we must continue strengthening our party. There will come a time when we can agree on specific roles and positions. My declaration of intent does not mean the door is closed,” she concluded.
