CCM gives nod to Secretary General Daniel Chongolo’s resignation

Dar es Salaam. The ruling party Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has accepted the resignation of its Secretary-General Daniel Chongolo, who requested to step down after he was reportedly "defamed" online.

The ideology and publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Paul Makonda, announced on Wednesday that Samia, who doubles as the President and CCM’s chairperson, had informed the party's National Executive Committee sitting in Dar es Salaam that she had received Mr. Chongolo's resignation letter and had accepted it.

The party, however, did not disclose the reasons for Mr. Chongolo’s resignation. He was appointed to hold the position on April 30, 2021.

Read: Daniel Chongolo appointed CCM’s Secretary-General

Wednesday's announcement follows a letter that has been circulating on social media since Tuesday, purported to have been written by Mr. Chongolo.

In the letter dated November 27, 2023, Mr. Chongolo addresses President Samia, asking her to endorse his request to resign from the position.

He says the decision follows recent developments that have "tarnished" his image on social media platforms.

"Madam Chairperson, I'm not ready to see CCM’s image tarnished in connection to my position as the party's Secretary-General and the alleged misconduct that I've been accused of," He writes in the letter.

"Madam Chairperson, with all due respect, I request you to consent to my resignation."

He was the 11th Secretary-General of CCM since it was formed in 1977. He replaced Dr. Bashiru Ally.

With his resignation, all eyes are now directed to who President Samia will pick as the new CCM's Secretary-General, with several names being mentioned on social media as likely successors of Mr. Chongolo.