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Tanzania’s Chaumma reveals 'people-centric' Manifesto, promises sweeping reforms
Chaumma members celebrating in a past function. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The People’s Liberation Party (Chaumma) has launched its 2025 election manifesto, pledging decentralisation, social-service reforms, human-rights protection, independent anti-corruption oversight, and ethical leadership accountability across government
Dar es Salaam. As political parties gear up for campaigns ahead of the October 2025 General Election, some have already unveiled their manifestos aimed at convincing citizens to entrust them with national leadership.
A manifesto is regarded as a contract between political parties and the people, outlining development promises based on the country’s resources once a party is elected.
The People’s Liberation Party (Chaumma) is among those that have launched their 2025 election manifesto and is preparing its presidential candidate to collect nomination forms from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party has nominated Mr Salum Mwalimu as its presidential candidate for the Union, with Ms Devotha Minja as his running mate.
In its manifesto, Chaumma pledges sweeping reforms in social services, the justice system, governance structures, and land management, among other areas.
Decentralising powers
Chaumma emphasises that it will amend the Local Government Act to devolve more powers to the grassroots, ensuring that the central government cannot usurp rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
It further promises that local government authorities will assume responsibility for peace, protection, and security within their jurisdictions—currently under the purview of district commissioners—in line with Article 146(1)(b) of the Constitution.
The manifesto also pledges to restore all revenue sources of local authorities, including fees and levies taken over by the central government.
Leadership ethics
Chaumma promises to enact stringent laws against abduction, torture, political killings, and enforced disappearances.
Every violation of rights, it says, will be investigated by independent bodies, with perpetrators swiftly brought to justice.
The party also pledges to restore the dignity of human rights institutions such as the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG).
It further proposes transforming the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) into a constitutionally independent body, free from State House or political party influence.
Its director would be appointed transparently through a legal process, with reports made public.
“We will establish a National Leadership Ethics College, and every government leader will be held accountable,” reads part of the manifesto launched on August 12, 2025.
Nutrition for all
Nutrition has long been a guiding principle of Chaumma, championed by its chairman, Mr Hashim Rungwe, under the slogan *Ubwabwa* (rice for all).
The manifesto pledges to abolish all taxes on food to ensure affordability. It also proposes a universal nutrition policy to guarantee access to adequate nutrition for all Tanzanians—particularly students, the elderly, patients, and expectant mothers—regardless of income level.
Additionally, the education curriculum would be revised to include nutrition as a core subject.
Good governance and human rights
Chaumma plans to establish a lean cabinet to enhance efficiency and accountability while reducing costs.
It proposes that ministers and their deputies be appointed from outside Parliament to strengthen legislative oversight of the executive.
In Zanzibar, the party pledges to promote unity, justice, and cooperation, while fighting corruption, favouritism, discrimination, and oppression.
Land and people-centred development
The manifesto states that Chaumma will abolish all fees and charges for land title deeds, ensuring citizens obtain titles free of charge once surveys are complete.
Through partnerships between government, private companies, and communities, the party pledges to accelerate land-use planning for 7,654 villages—63 percent of all villages nationwide—still awaiting formal planning.
To end land disputes between communities and wildlife reserves, the manifesto declares that Tanzanians will take precedence over wildlife.
Zanzibar’s economy
Chaumma pledges to build an inclusive economy in Zanzibar that benefits ordinary citizens and narrows income gaps.
It proposes empowering women and youth through grants and interest-free loans, while establishing small-scale agro-processing, fishing, and livestock industries in every district.
An entrepreneurship and business innovation centre would also be set up in Unguja and Pemba.
“Chaumma will create a price-regulation agency for essential goods such as food and cooking oil, and establish reserves to reduce or eliminate inflation,” the manifesto states.
It also commits to developing international-standard tourism infrastructure to attract visitors and showcase Zanzibar’s beaches, history, and cultural heritage.
Zanzibar’s financial autonomy
Chaumma pledges to establish a Zanzibar Central Bank to handle monetary and economic policy matters once constitutional changes grant full autonomy.
The manifesto further promises that Zanzibar will receive its rightful share of revenue from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) as provided by law.
The party also plans to restore Zanzibar’s capacity to borrow independently, both domestically and internationally, without external guarantees.
On oil and gas, Chaumma pledges to enact policies and legislation within one year to commence exploration and drilling. Zanzibar, it says, will regain full authority over its marine resources, including oil and gas.
“Chaumma will ensure an enabling environment for community development by training Zanzibaris in the skills and expertise required for the oil and gas sector,” the manifesto states.
