Samia warns against divisive campaigns ahead of 2025 elections

Mwanza. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has issued a strong warning to traditional healers and cultural leaders to refrain from engaging in divisive practices as the country gears up for the October 2025 General Election.

Speaking during the vibrant Bulabo Cultural Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Bujora, Magu District, Mwanza Region, President Hassan called for unity and peace during the electoral season.

“My plea, especially to our traditional brothers and sisters—the healers—is this: during this period, many people seeking political positions will visit you. I urge you, do not perform divisive rituals, because that’s what causes conflict during elections,” said President Hassan.

She advised them not to mislead aspirants with fabricated rituals or false hopes.

“If someone comes with money, take it and eat, and if you see they can win, tell them so—but don’t spread hate,” she insisted.

“If you see they can’t win, just say, ‘my friend, go in peace, enjoy your money, and rest.’ But don’t do those conflicting readings.”

She added jokingly, “Sometimes you say ‘you’ll win, but I sense your regional secretary doesn’t like you.’ No! Let’s do things well, let everyone go peacefully and let us finish the elections in peace.”

The President also called on chiefs and traditional leaders to preserve and promote Tanzanian culture and traditions, which she described as the soul of the nation’s identity.

“Culture includes our democratic process—choosing our leaders. Even chiefs have their time to pass the baton,” she said. “So I call upon all traditional leaders to encourage people to turn out when the time comes and choose leaders who will bring development.”

President Hassan emphasised that it is the duty of traditional leaders to pray for the nation, especially as it approaches the 2025 General Election.

“We are heading into elections. May they be peaceful, let people go and vote in peace, and may we finish the process gracefully,” she said.

Making Bulabo a national and global event

In a significant announcement, the President revealed that the government is committed to elevating cultural festivals like Bulabo to preserve morals and promote national values.

“Morals are built and strengthened through culture and traditions. The task of safeguarding our ethics belongs to all Tanzanians,” President Hassan said.

She toured several traditional exhibition stalls at the event, learning the meaning and history of various cultural items on display.

Earlier, while welcoming the President, Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, said preparations were underway to make Bulabo a globally recognized cultural heritage.

“We are in the final stages of submitting a proposal to UNESCO for the Bulabo Festival to be recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the world,” he said.

The ministry is also researching traditional ceremonies from other ethnic groups for possible inclusion on the global heritage list.

“To preserve and protect our indigenous languages from being eroded by Western influence, we are launching a major research project this July to create a national language atlas,” said Prof Kabudi.

He noted that this atlas will identify all local languages, their number of speakers, and strategies for their preservation—essential for enriching Kiswahili and safeguarding Tanzania’s linguistic heritage.

Kabudi also announced that the government will launch a national cultural competition festival to be held annually, rotating across different regions. This year, the event will take place in Lindi region in December.

“You directed us (President Hassan) to prepare national guidelines for Tanzanian ethics and culture. That framework is now in use by many community groups,” Kabudi told the President.