Members of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), unanimously nominated President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Sunday as their candidate for re-election in the general elections scheduled for October.
The former vice president, who succeeded President John Magufuli following his sudden death in March 2021, initially signaled openness upon taking office, allowing the publication of media outlets banned by her authoritarian predecessor. However, in recent months, the opposition has accused her of reverting to Magufuli's practices, including arrests and abductions.
CCM held an extraordinary general assembly on Saturday and Sunday to elect the party’s vice president and review the implementation report of its four-year manifesto. Eventually, the members demanded and secured the endorsement of Hassan and Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi as candidates for re-election in the upcoming October polls.
CCM Secretary-General Emmanuel Nchimbi was appointed as Samia Hassan’s running mate.
"We have achieved a lot over the past four years, and I promise to do even more in the next term," the president stated. "I urge everyone to maintain our unity as the elections approach," she added in her closing speech.
Last week, the leader of the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) party, Dorothy Semu, announced her intention to challenge Hassan in October.
The main opposition party, Chadema, has yet to initiate its candidate selection process but is expected to elect a new president on Tuesday. However, the party had already warned in late 2024 that it would "block" the 2025 elections unless significant electoral system reforms were implemented—a long-standing demand persistently ignored by the ruling party.
This announcement followed the results of the November 27 local elections, which Chadema claimed were manipulated, resulting in a sweeping victory for CCM.
