Keybattlegroundsemergeas Tanzaniasruling CC Mheadstoheatedprimaries

Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, July 30th 2025 at 13:26 GMT by The Citizen
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In these constituencies, the political heat is already at boiling point. That is how one might summarise the high-stakes races expected in the ruling party's upcoming primaries.

Key Battlegrounds Emerge as Tanzania’s Ruling CCM Heads to Heated Primaries

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – As Tanzania's dominant ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), gears up for its internal primaries ahead of the upcoming local government elections, a landscape of intense political rivalries is taking shape across the country. The primaries, set to determine the party's candidates for various positions including councilors, mayors, and other local leadership roles, are expected to be fiercely contested, reflecting deeper factional divides within CCM and the broader political dynamics in Tanzania. With the party's long-standing grip on power at stake, these internal battles could signal shifts in influence and set the tone for the national elections slated for 2025.

The CCM primaries, scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, come at a pivotal time for the party under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's leadership. Since assuming office in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli, Hassan has navigated a delicate balance between continuity and reform, emphasizing anti-corruption drives, economic recovery post-COVID-19, and improved relations with international partners. However, the primaries are exposing underlying tensions, including generational clashes, regional power struggles, and debates over loyalty to the party's revolutionary ethos versus pragmatic governance. Analysts suggest that the outcomes could either consolidate Hassan's authority or embolden dissenting voices within CCM, potentially weakening the party's unity ahead of facing opposition challengers like Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo.

One of the most prominent battlegrounds is in the economic hub of Dar es Salaam, where urban constituencies are witnessing a surge in aspirants vying for CCM nominations. In areas like Ilala and Kinondoni, seasoned politicians are clashing with younger, reform-minded candidates who are leveraging social media and grassroots campaigns to challenge the status quo. For instance, in Ilala, a key contest pits a veteran CCM stalwart, known for his ties to the Magufuli era's infrastructure projects, against a rising star who advocates for more inclusive urban development policies. This rivalry underscores a broader theme: the push for youth representation in a party historically dominated by older cadres. Party insiders report that voter turnout in these urban primaries could be high, driven by dissatisfaction with issues like unemployment, housing shortages, and traffic congestion, which have become flashpoints in Dar es Salaam's rapidly growing metropolis.

Moving northward, the Lake Zone regions, particularly Mwanza and Geita, emerge as another hotbed of contention. These areas, rich in mineral resources and fisheries, have long been CCM strongholds, but recent economic grievances are fueling internal challenges. In Mwanza, the primaries for mayoral positions are drawing attention due to allegations of favoritism and corruption in the allocation of mining contracts. A notable race involves a former regional commissioner facing off against a local entrepreneur who promises to prioritize sustainable development and job creation for the youth. The Lake Zone's significance cannot be overstated; it represents a microcosm of Tanzania's economic aspirations, where gold mining and lake transport are vital. Any fracture here could ripple into national politics, especially as opposition parties eye these regions for potential gains by capitalizing on CCM's internal discord.

In the southern highlands, regions like Mbeya and Iringa are shaping up as ideological battlegrounds. These agricultural heartlands, known for coffee, tea, and maize production, are seeing contests that highlight debates over land rights, farmer subsidies, and climate resilience. In Mbeya, a high-profile primary features a candidate aligned with President Hassan's gender equality initiatives—potentially a woman leader—against a traditionalist who emphasizes CCM's socialist roots. This clash reflects the party's efforts to modernize while retaining its base among rural voters. Observers note that women's participation in these primaries has increased, thanks to Hassan's advocacy for female empowerment, but entrenched patriarchal structures within CCM pose significant hurdles. The outcomes in these areas could influence agricultural policy directions, crucial for Tanzania's food security and export economy.

Coastal regions, including Tanga and Mtwara, add another layer of complexity with their focus on port development and natural gas projects. In Tanga, the primaries are heated over the Hoima-Tanga oil pipeline and its economic implications. Aspirants are divided between those pushing for rapid industrialization and others cautioning against environmental risks and community displacement. Mtwara, still reeling from unfulfilled promises related to the gas boom, sees candidates campaigning on themes of equitable resource distribution. These coastal battles are not just about local seats; they tie into national debates on foreign investment and energy security, areas where CCM has faced criticism for opaque deals.

Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago, presents a unique set of challenges within the CCM framework. As part of the Union, Zanzibar's CCM branch operates with some autonomy, but primaries here are intertwined with sensitive issues of identity, autonomy, and reconciliation post the 2020 elections' controversies. Key contests in Unguja and Pemba involve figures advocating for greater devolution of powers versus those loyal to the central government's oversight. The archipelago's tourism-dependent economy, hit hard by global events, amplifies calls for candidates who can revive sectors like hospitality and spice farming. Tensions in Zanzibar could test the stability of the Union, with CCM's performance here critical to maintaining its national dominance.

Beyond regional specifics, the primaries are marked by overarching themes that could define CCM's future. Corruption allegations are rampant, with some aspirants accusing rivals of vote-buying and manipulating party registers. The party's central committee has vowed to enforce strict guidelines, including electronic voting in select areas to enhance transparency, but skepticism remains high. Youth and women wings within CCM are pushing for quotas, arguing that fresh blood is essential to counter the opposition's appeal among younger demographics. Economic pressures, including inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, are influencing voter sentiments, making these primaries a referendum on CCM's governance record.

Political analysts in Dar es Salaam warn that prolonged infighting could erode CCM's electoral advantage. "The primaries are a litmus test for party cohesion," says Dr. Aisha Mwinyi, a political science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam. "If factionalism prevails, it might open doors for opposition parties to make inroads, especially in urban and peri-urban areas where CCM's support has waned." Indeed, opposition leaders like Chadema's Freeman Mbowe have already seized on CCM's internal strife, positioning their party as a viable alternative focused on accountability and democratic reforms.

As the primaries unfold, all eyes are on President Hassan, who has refrained from overt endorsements but emphasized merit-based selections. Her administration's recent initiatives, such as the revival of stalled infrastructure projects and efforts to attract foreign direct investment, are being touted by loyalists as reasons for continued CCM support. However, critics within the party argue that more needs to be done to address inequality and youth unemployment, issues that could sway primary voters.

In conclusion, these heated CCM primaries are more than internal party affairs; they are a harbinger of Tanzania's political trajectory. With key battlegrounds spanning urban centers, resource-rich zones, agricultural belts, and coastal enclaves, the contests reveal the multifaceted challenges facing the ruling party. Whether CCM emerges unified or fractured will depend on how it navigates these rivalries, potentially reshaping the nation's governance landscape in the years ahead. As Tanzanians watch closely, the outcomes could either reinforce the party's revolutionary legacy or signal a new era of pluralism and competition in East African politics.

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Read the Full The Citizen Article at:
[ https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/key-battlegrounds-emerge-as-tanzania-s-ruling-ccm-heads-to-heated-primaries-5136870 ]

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Keybattlegroundsemergeas Tanzaniasruling CC Mheadstoheatedprimaries

Key Battlegrounds Emerge as Tanzania’s Ruling CCM Heads to Heated Primaries