CCM dissent: It is democracy or 2030 presidential race?

CCM National Executive Council members Josephat Gwajima and Humphrey Polepole have in recent weeks criticised the party's internal processes and called for reform, prompting strong reaction  from party leaders.

The Reverend Gwajima has urged both the party and the government to embrace legal reforms to ensure that the 2025 General Election is “inclusive and unifying”. In a Youtube livestream, he warned against dismissing calls by opposition party Chadema for electoral reforms, cautioning that “winning an election without a credible contest would not foster the national unity needed for development”.

In various public engagements, he has also underscored the importance of protecting freedoms and allowing diverse opinions within the party to flourish, rather than being stifled.

On July 13 Mr Polepole tendered his resignation as Tanzania’s ambassador to Cuba, where he also oversaw Tanzanian affairs in several Caribbean and Latin American countries, citing “a decline in national leadership standards and governance ethics”.

In his resignation letter to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Mr Polepole described his decision as personal and not politically motivated, while expressing concern that the party’s internal nomination process “has deviated from its founding principles of justice, discipline and reform”.

“I remain a loyal member of CCM, but I hope to see the party return to its roots of fairness and inclusivity,” he wrote.

As public debate gathered momentum, CCM Parents Wing chairperson Fadhili Maganya, last week accused some members of hiding behind human rights and democracy to promote personal agendas that risk sowing division within CCM.

“These individuals have long been organised. They operate in cliques, aiming to undermine the party from within to serve their presidential ambitions, but that won’t be tolerated,” Mr Maganya said, adding that the actions of some vocal critics contradicted party principles and threatened CCM’s unity.

“CCM is built on structure, order and respect. It is not a vehicle for individual ambition. We cannot allow a few, power-hungry people to lead us into chaos.”

Mr Maganya warned that unless the party takes a strong stance against such internal dissent, it risks losing the historical identity that has enabled its dominance since the advent of multiparty politics.

“Not every loud voice is sincere,” he said and urged party members to remain vigilant against hidden agendas.

Mr Maganya’s remarks have come at a time when it is clear that some CCM stalwarts are positioning themselves for the 2030 presidential race.

Responding to the backlash, Mr Polepole dismissed talk of the 2030 succession as a distraction.

“Let’s stick to facts,” he told The Citizen on Sunday. “The issue is how procedures were violated in selecting the 2025 presidential candidate. Discussing 2030 now is reckless and I refuse to be part of that. What we’re saying is: party first, individual later.”

Still, political observers see the tensions as a reflection of deeper undercurrents within the party, especially as it begins contemplating long-term leadership transitions towards 2030 and beyond.

For his part, Prof Makame Ali Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar noted that while CCM has always allowed internal debate, the current situation is unusual because some of these conversations are happening publicly.

“That opens the door to multiple interpretations. And naturally, suspicions arise,” he said.

Prof Ussi added that political ambition, particularly around the 2030 presidency, may already be shaping behaviour, even if it is not openly stated.

“Whether they are laying the groundwork for future campaigns or just voicing concerns, time will tell.”

Dr Richard Mbunda of the University of Dar es Salaam said while Mr Polepole now speaks of transparency and internal democracy, it is important to recall that some of the strongest complaints about lack of openness within CCM surfaced during his tenure as the party’s Ideology and Publicity Secretary.

“It was during Polepole’s time in office that concerns about undemocratic practices and lack of transparency in internal processes gained significant public attention,” said Dr Mbunda. “So his recent remarks raise important questions. Is he speaking from a place of self-reflection and growth, or is this a case of political repositioning?”

According to Dr Mbunda, while it is healthy for leaders to evolve and call for reforms, it is equally crucial to acknowledge one’s own role in the very systems being criticised.

“If the call for transparency is to be taken seriously, it should come with honest reflection about past leadership and responsibility.”

Another political scientist, Dr Paul Loisulie of the University of Dodoma, the developments point to a broader generational and political shift within CCM.

“There’s a younger political class within the party that feels more at ease speaking publicly about sensitive issues. That’s part of a global trend in political communication,” he said.

But the challenge for CCM, Dr Loisulie added, is to strike the right balance.

“Suppressing internal dialogue may backfire, but unregulated openness could also threaten party cohesion. Balance will be critical.”

Dr Onesmo Kyauke of the University of Dar es Salaam said raising concerns about human rights and the party’s candidate selection process should not be viewed as wrongdoing.

He added that encouraging open dialogue helps build trust and long-term stability within parties like CCM.