The party elections of Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), have exposed internal cracks and fissures. Central to the internal spats are concerns about a creeping authoritarian grip, as evidenced by party chairperson Freeman Mbowe’s prolonged stay in power.
In African political party theory, it has been argued that party systems tend to be significantly influenced by their authoritarian legacies. Political scientist Rachel Riedl, in her work Authoritarian Origins of Democratic Party Systems in Africa, argues that the nature of party systems in Africa’s democracies is deeply rooted in the structures and strategies employed by authoritarian regimes before transitions to democracy.
Studies on political party systems in Africa show that parties tend to cultivate support through authoritarian foundations and orchestrate controlled transitions, which leaves little space for democratic change. It looks like CHADEMA is following this script.
Freeman Mbowe, the party’s national chairperson since September 14, 2004, believes that his continued leadership is essential for maintaining its growth and challenging the dominant position of the CCM party.
However, critics like Tundu Lissu, CHADEMA’s vice chairperson (Tanzania Mainland), view this as an authoritarian one-man show that impedes party development. This situation raises the question of whether CHADEMA is falling into the authoritarian trap that it often accuses the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), of perpetuating.
Setbacks
After decades of grassroots organising, CHADEMA, which had grown significantly between 2005 and 2015, faced setbacks due to President John Magufuli’s oppressive regime. This caused CHADEMA to lose ground following the disastrous 2020 general elections.
The party’s situation further worsened when Mbowe was imprisoned in 2021 on terrorism charges. Meanwhile, Lissu, the party’s presidential candidate during the 2020 elections, went into exile due to concerns about his safety.
The party’s leadership vacuum led to the radicalisation of its young members, resulting in increased polarisation within the party. Shortly after Mbowe was released from prison in March 2022, he visited President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was then on a pacifist mission following her ascent to the presidency after the death of President Magufuli. In February of that year, President Samia met with Lissu in Belgium, a sign of thawing relations between CHADEMA and the government.
The détente between the ruling party CCM and the opposition CHADEMA was heralded as a new beginning, setting the stage for Maridhiano, or reconciliation, talks aimed at reforms President Samia was championing through her so-called 4R agenda. Things appeared to be progressing positively, with numerous proposals for reforms on specific laws and reversals of oppressive directives, such as lifting the unconstitutional ban on political rallies and expanding civic space in the country.
A short-lived rapprochement
The newfound rapprochement between President Samia and CHADEMA was short-lived, as the government returned to its previous patterns of increased repression and brutality against opposition figures.
It was clear that President Samia faced a challenging balancing act between consolidating her position within the party and trying to appease the opposition. As her first year in office ended, strengthening her position within the party seemed a more favourable option, backtracking on the reforms.
As chairperson, Mbowe believed reconciliation and dialogue with CCM would result in significant reforms. However, a faction of his party members, including Tundu Lissu, disagreed and felt that no reforms could be achieved.
The differing opinions became a point of contention, with some CHADEMA supporters accusing Mbowe of conceding too much. There were growing allegations that he had been bribed by CCM, a situation referred to locally as kulambishwa asali. That notwithstanding, CHADEMA continued to push the government, demanding a new constitution, among other electoral reforms.
CHADEMA elections have revealed growing dissatisfaction among its members. Longtime party stalwart Peter Msigwa defected to the ruling party, CCM, in June 2024, expressing his disappointment over how elections were conducted in his region. Since his departure, he has spoken on the internal struggles within the party, explicitly criticising Mbowe for what he describes as abrasive and authoritarian leadership.
When Lissu announced his intention to run for the top position of CHADEMA, one of his main arguments was the necessity of term limits. This was a direct challenge to Mbowe, who has served as chairperson for two decades. Lissu believes term limits are crucial for grooming the next generation of leaders and addressing the sycophancy malaise often called uchawa in local parlance.
Change advocates within and beyond the party welcomed Lissu’s decision to run for chairperson, believing it would reinvigorate its fortunes. Those favouring Lissu as chairperson contend that his critical and unrelenting fervour will transform CHADEMA and give it a new lease of life.
READ MORE: Talks of Division as 2025 Nears: Why It’s a Make-or-Break Moment for CHADEMA
However, there are those who see Lissu as a non-starter and a spoiler. Mbowe loyalists have expressed their apprehensions, chiding Lissu for his sharp critique of CHADEMA’s internal problems.
Authoritarian legacies
Riedl’s argument of authoritarian legacies within party systems, as demonstrated in CHADEMA, weakens democratic competition and causes instability. It is frequently observed that opposition parties in African democracies tend to reflect the characteristics and behaviours of the ruling party in several significant ways.
A notable example of this phenomenon is Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding leader, who continued to serve as the chairperson of CCM even after he had stepped down from the presidency in 1985. This established a precedent that many opposition groups, such as the CUF and CHADEMA, have come to emulate.
These opposition parties often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to leadership transitions, as their top leaders frequently struggle to relinquish their positions. This situation raises concerns about their ability to evolve and leadership transition. The persistence of entrenched leadership within these parties hinders their effectiveness. It may lead to a lack of fresh ideas and perspectives for fostering vibrant political discourse and accountability.
Freeman Mbowe has announced his intention to run again for the chairperson position, which further threatens party unity. In explaining his decision, Mbowe stated that he has unfinished business, particularly concerning the ongoing disputes within the party.
READ MORE: CHADEMA’s Sept. 23 Demonstrations: Nine Questions to Ponder
CHADEMA currently finds itself at a crossroads. Over the years, it has positioned itself as an alternative to CCM and gained significant public support. However, internal conflicts could severely undermine their chances of challenging the ruling party in the 2025 general elections.
On a positive note, however, if managed effectively, these differing viewpoints could contribute to democratic consolidation and help strengthen the party.
Nicodemus Minde holds a PhD in International Relations from the United States International University- Africa, Nairobi. He can be reached at nminde96@gmail.com or on X at @decolanga. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
