On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), commenced its two-day special national congress in the capital city of Dodoma. The meeting is being chaired by the party’s leader, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The special congress follows two key meetings: the CCM National Executive Council (NEC) held on May 28, 2025, and the Central Committee (CC) meeting held on May 26, 2025.
The congress is expected to address three main agendas: minor constitutional amendments, a review of the 2020 party manifesto implementation, and the launch of a new election manifesto for the 2025–2030 period.
In her opening remarks, CCM Chairperson Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized the significance of the special congress in preparing the party for the upcoming general election scheduled for October 2025.
On the first day of the congress, the Chairperson presented minor constitutional amendments to the delegates for review. One of the key changes includes officially recognizing the use of technology in party meetings, such as virtual meetings and introducing political consultation meetings that were previously not included in the party’s constitution.
“Our party is evolving alongside global developments,” President Samia said. “Within our revolutionary party, we are now working digitally. We have installed systems that allow for communication from region to region or district to district, in order to streamline operations.”
Other amendments include changes to the CCM Board of Trustees, specifying that the number of trustees should not be divisible by two—unlike the current setup of eight members.
Additionally, the Board of Trustees will have an advisory role in overseeing CCM projects, particularly in delegating project responsibilities to grassroots political committees.
The congress also reviewed the implementation of CCM’s 2020–2025 manifesto by both the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
Traditionally, national congresses held around this time have been used to nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the United Republic of Tanzania and President of Zanzibar for the semi-autonomous archipelago. However, the nominations were already concluded during another January 2025 special congress.
“In accordance with Article 100(2) and Article 101(5)(b) of the 1977 CCM Constitution, the previous [January] congress completed the task of nominating the party’s presidential candidate and running mate for the United Republic of Tanzania,” she said.
That same January congress also endorsed President Hussein Mwinyi of Zanzibar as CCM’s flag bearer for the upcoming October general election for the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
On the second day of the congress, it is expected that the 2025 election manifesto will be officially launched.
One Response
“nominations were already concluded during another January 2025 special congress.”
No primaries? No nominations? Only one sole candidate? WOW that is the party democracy?
Where are the jornos?