Tanzania: Tundu Lissu To Head Opposition Party

Prominent Tanzanian politician Tundu Lissu has been elected chairman of the main opposition party Chadema, ousting long-running leader Freeman Mbowe in an intense race

Lissu campaigned for changes in the party leadership while criticising the way it was being run, amid heated exchanges that were seen as exposing internal divisions.

He accused Mbowe of having changed and being too reconciliatory towards the CCM party that has been power since independence, which he said had made people lose trust in Chadema.

Mbowe, the party’s chairman for more than 20 years, campaigned on grounds that he still had more work to do to strengthen the party.

He accused Lissu of making accusations against him without providing any evidence.

The party’s elections, which concluded on Wednesday morning, were seen as defining the party’s direction, with presidential elections due in October this year.

Mbowe has conceded the loss, posting on his X account that he “wholly accepted the decision of the party’s assembly” alongside a photo of himself and Lissu.

“I congratulate Tundu Lissu and his colleagues for being trusted to take the responsibility of the party leadership. I wish them all the best in moving our party forward,” he said.

In a closely fought election, Lissu garnered 513 votes (51.5%) against Mbowe’s 482 (48.3%).

As he was declared the winner, Lissu said the party had set the standard for internal democracy and called on other political parties in the country to follow their example.

BBC/Shakirat Sadiq