The streets of Dar es Salaam were ‘painted’ green and yellow on August 28, 2025, as Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) launched its campaign at Kawe. Led by senior party officials, former presidents, and its candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking a second term, CCM set the tone of its campaign by portraying Samia’s presidency as one that began in uncertain and challenging times, yet managed to keep the country together.
Former President Jakaya Kikwete laid the foundation for this narrative. He started by first responding to questions raised regarding Samia’s candidacy. In recent months, some party cadres have claimed that CCM’s constitution and procedures were violated during her selection as the 2025 flag-bearer.
“There some words going around or some chit-chat, claiming that procedures were violated and I was blamed for my remarks at the national congress. But I say, those who were saying that either do not understand the procedure of our party, or if they do, perhaps they have forgotten, or they are pretending to be ignorant,” Kikwete said in the opening of his speech.
“Since we began the multiparty system, within CCM we have set a precedent that when our sitting President completes the first term and wants a second term, they are given the opportunity alone. That’s how it was during Mkapa, Kikwete, and Magufuli, why should it be different at the time of Samia”, Kikwete asked, pointing out that those who are now questioning the issue, were present during the eras of Mkapa, Kikwete, and Magufuli, yet never raised it then.
President of hard times
Kikwete and CCM Vice Chairperson Stephen Wasira reminded Tanzanians of the difficult circumstances under which Samia assumed power: the sudden death of President John Magufuli, the impact of COVID-19, and widespread doubts about the country’s first female president.
“Let it be remembered that we, the former presidents, went through this process since multiparty politics, we had time to prepare. Each one of us organized, built his team, his people, and his policies,” Kikwete explained.
“But, Mama Samia suddenly found herself as President without expecting it. She was on a tour in Tanga when she was informed that the President had passed away. She took a very short time to consolidate herself in that position. She was like a commando who parachuted into a battlefield while firing shots,” Kikwete continued.
Both Kikwete and Wasira reflected on the challenges Samia faced as the first woman to hold the presidency.
“She took leadership at a difficult time and under tough circumstances, after the loss of the sitting President, the death of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli. It was the first time the country had ever faced such a challenge. There was great uncertainty about what would happen, how things would turn out. And the big question was: Could this woman really lead this country?” Kikwete underscored a position that was also further explained by Wasira.
“So President Samia took over the leadership of the country in the midst of those three challenges [economy, death of the president and COVID-19]. The nation was shaken, and there were mixed thoughts and fears,” Wasira said in his speech.
”Everyone had their own kind of fear. Because of the problems of patriarchy, some believed there was a connection between the presidency and being a man. Therefore, if you were not a man, you could not be President — that was their thinking,” Wasira continued.
He added: “Others had different concerns. Some were close to the late President, and understandably feared what the changes meant for them. They confused their personal interests with the interests of Tanzanians. And the words we are now hearing outside come from those fears, ordinary fears, but very real,” Wasira continued.
Both Kikwete and Wasira credited Samia for her 4R initiative, with Wasira noting that she saw the importance of bringing the country together by consulting diverse groups.
This reflection by CCM in its first campaign rally is viewed as a key strategy to set the tone and frame Samia’s leadership as a unifying force during an unprecedented moment in Tanzania’s history. Analysts see it as an effort to build voter empathy for her candidacy amid criticism from opposition parties.
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This is also the first time since the reintroduction of multiparty politics that Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, whose leader is currently on trial for treason, is absent from the ballot. Of the three major political parties, only CCM has a candidate in the presidential race. ACT-Wazalendo’s candidate was disqualified at the last minute by the Registrar of Political Parties.
Both CHADEMA and ACT Wazalendo have maintained that Samia’s 4R initiative has collapsed, pointing to cases of abductions and disappearances in the country. The initiative had been presented as a flagship policy of the sixth-phase government during challenging times.
The Candidate
Samia Suluhu Hassan and her running mate, Emmanuel Nchimbi, are campaigning under the slogan Work and Dignity. In her address, Samia revisited her unexpected rise to the presidency and her administration’s achievements.
“I was entrusted with a country which, in every sense, required a national and international consensus in order to lead it. There was a need of a consensus between the government and political leaders, activists, business people, the international community, and citizens at large,” Samia said.
“Today, four years and five months later, I cannot say that we have done everything that was promised or stated in the CCM manifesto. But with great confidence I can say we have accomplished much to ensure that our country is being built and that the nation is returning to the state of stability we were accustomed to,” she continued.
“Through the philosophy of the 4R’s, we ensured that the nation continued to maintain respect within the African continent and globally by safeguarding peace and stability. And the Global Peace Index report of the year 2025 shows that Tanzania is leading in peace rankings within the East African region,” Samia emphasized.
She went on to highlight achievements in social services, infrastructure, and economic management, including addressing Tanzania’s debt burden, which she explained is the lowest in the region compared to peers.
Samia concluded her speech by outlining her priorities for the first 100 days in office. These include a test run of Universal Health Care targeting the elderly, children, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. The government also plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases for low-income citizens.
Other commitments include hiring new teachers, linking learning institutions with employers, and formalizing the informal sector. In line with CCM’s manifesto pledge to revive constitutional reforms, Samia promised to establish a Mediation and Reconciliation Commission within her first 100 days.
“Guided by the philosophy of the 4Rs, we will continue consultations with political stakeholders, civil society institutions, and the private sector by establishing a Commission to initiate dialogue on reconciliation and mediation, and to prepare the environment for the start of the new Constitution process,” Samia said.
“Overall, in the next five years, we are determined not only to strengthen infrastructure, but also to improve the delivery of services, uphold justice, maintain peace and political stability, in order to grow the economy and bring about development.”
The ruling party, alongside 17 other political parties, is expected to campaign over the next 60 days until October 28, 2025. Today, August 29, CCM, will continue its campaign in Morogoro.
