Iringa – Mary Chatanda, the national chairperson of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) women’s wing, is facing intense criticism following remarks that she would “finish off” the main opposition party, CHADEMA, if she were in power.
The comments were made on May 18, 2026, during a campaign rally in Migoli village, Iringa region, where Chatanda was campaigning for a CCM parliamentary candidate.
The remarks have drawn sharp condemnation from opposition supporters and the general public, who view them as an escalation of hostility against political opponents.
During her speech, Chatanda referenced the violence that marred the October 29, 2025, general election, blaming the unrest on a few individuals intent on destroying the country, implying CHADEMA as the key orchestrators.
She suggested that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been too lenient with opposition figures. “I say, if [President Samia] were to hand this country to me for even just one minute, I would finish off CHADEMA,” Chatanda stated.
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Chatanda, born in 1959, is a veteran Tanzanian politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Korogwe Mjini constituency from 2015 to 2020.
She currently holds significant influence as a member of the CCM Central Committee and leader of the party’s women’s organisation. Her comments come at a time of heightened political tension in the country.
The backlash against Chatanda’s remarks has been swift across social media platforms, where users have accused her of inciting violence and undermining democratic principles.
The controversy also unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing state pressure on CHADEMA, whose national chairperson, Tundu Lissu, remains detained on treason charges following his arrest in April 2025. The party was also systemically excluded from participating in the recent elections.
Chatanda’s remarks also come against the backdrop of the move by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, which recently issued a formal letter threatening CHADEMA with suspension or a fine over alleged incitement and anti-government remarks.
The registrar cited statements by CHADEMA leaders referring to President Samia as an “unelected authoritarian ruler” and accusing security forces of “brutal and satanic murders” during the 2025 election period.
CHADEMA claims that between 2,000 and 3,000 people were killed during the election protests, a figure the government disputes.
The political climate in Tanzania remains precarious, with opposition figures, human rights defenders, and journalists frequently facing intimidation and arrest.
Such crackdowns on dissent have become so common that they raise significant concerns among human rights organisations about the shrinking space for civic engagement and press freedom.
