Tanzania’s ruling party CCM endorses Presidents Samia, Mwinyi as flagbearers in 2025 presidential elections
What you need to know:
- The resolution, currently being drafted by the party’s secretariat, follows a recommendation from former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who served as Tanzania’s head of state from 2005 to 2015.
Dodoma. Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has officially endorsed President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Hussein Ali Hassan Mwinyi as the party's flagbearers for the Union and Zanzibar presidential elections, respectively.
The endorsement follows a recommendation from former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who served as Tanzania’s head of state from 2005 to 2015. The resolution, which has already been formalised by the party’s secretariat, came amid overwhelming support from delegates at the CCM National Congress, which took place in Dodoma.
Addressing the congress, Mr Kikwete acknowledged the enthusiasm of the delegates but emphasised the need to adhere to the party’s established procedures. He reminded members that every political party has its own nomination process and timelines that must be followed.
“Each party has its own procedures and timeline for selecting a candidate. That decision is made in this meeting,” Mr Kikwete told the delegates. He cited Namibia as an example, where a candidate is often chosen a year before the general election.
His remarks came as delegates repeatedly chanted their support for President Hassan and President Mwinyi, prompting cheers and applause that momentarily interrupted his speech.
“If we want to decide today that Samia is our candidate and Mwinyi is our candidate, we have the authority to do so,” Mr Kikwete said, prompting another round of applause.
However, he cautioned against bypassing legal frameworks and urged the congress to ensure that the nomination process remains legally sound.
“When the time comes, once Parliament is dissolved and the electoral commission calls for candidates, we must ensure that the process follows the correct procedures. This will prevent legal complications that could arise and jeopardise our candidates’ eligibility,” he explained.
He referenced the 2005 CCM nomination process, where he was selected as the party’s presidential candidate in May of that year, emphasising that the party sets its own rules and must ensure they align with the legal framework.
“If the consensus here is that President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi should be our candidates, then what remains is for CCM Secretary General Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi and his team to review the relevant procedures. The congress has already spoken,” he said.
Turning to President Samia, who chaired the congress, Mr Kikwete remarked: “Madam Chairperson, I am not sure whether I have clarified matters or made them more confusing. But the people have spoken. If they want you to continue, who else will say no?”
He then proposed that the congress formalise the decision through a written resolution to avoid ambiguity.
“The best way to handle this matter is to draft a special resolution for this congress, explicitly stating this decision. The resolution should then be presented, approved, and formally adopted,” he suggested.
Following this, President Hassan directed the CCM Secretariat to take the necessary steps to prepare the resolution.
“If this is the decision, I now instruct the CCM secretariat to draft and present the resolution here for approval,” President Samia declared.
Delegates welcomed the move with applause as the congress moved forward with preparations for the historic endorsement of the two candidates.
This story is still developing…..
