Wasira stresses reconciliation after strong support from general assembly
Dar es Salaam. The newly elected Vice Chairman of the CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) for the Mainland, Mr Stephen Wasira, has identified advancing reconciliation with the community as one of his key priorities as he assumes office.
Speaking after receiving an endorsement from 99.4 percent of the members of the CCM general assembly, Mr Wasira highlighted that his primary goal is to ensure the ruling party secures electoral victory.
He said that after winning local elections and implementing the CCM election manifesto, the party is determined to achieve success in the upcoming general election. "We have all the reasons, the intention, and the capability to win," he asserted.
Addressing the assembly from the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma on Saturday, January 18, 2025, during a live broadcast, Mr Wasira assured the public that CCM remains committed to unity, peace, and development.
He emphasised that CCM is tasked with leading the country and driving development—objectives that cannot be achieved without peace. "The chairperson has a 4R philosophy—Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and Rebuilding. As her assistant, I want to assure you that we will begin with advancing reconciliation,” he stated, earning applause from the assembly.
Mr Wasira clarified that reconciliation is not about individuals but about uniting the community. "We are reconciling with the community, which includes spiritual and religious leaders, NGOs, and the international community in Tanzania," he explained.
“We believe in peace and will collaborate with all these stakeholders in the process,” he added, insisting that CCM rejects war and advocates for peace as the foundation for development. “If your party believes in war, we will not go there. Ours is a party of peace, and peace is the principle of development.”
During the event, Mr Kinana, who handed over the vice-chairmanship to Mr Wasira, dedicated all leadership compliments directed at him to the party members. He emphasised that CCM is not a party of individual leaders but of its members.
“CCM is a strong, large, and respected party. We have been entrusted with the authority to lead the country. Undoubtedly, we will continue to earn that trust, not for any other reason but because of our good policies, manifesto, connection with the people, responsiveness to citizens, and our oversight of the government’s implementation of its manifesto,” Mr Kinana stated, urging party members to support the newly elected vice-chairperson.
Speaking about his successor, Mr Kinana described Mr. Wasira as brave, hard-working, honest, and patriotic, expressing confidence that the vice-chairmanship is now in capable hands.
Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Tulia Ackson, who oversaw the voting, announced that out of 1,921 voters, four votes were invalid and 1,917 were valid. “Seven votes were against, while 1,910 votes were in favour. This amounts to 99.42 percent. Honourable chairperson, my assistants will now hand over for you to declare the winner,” she said.
