Optimism as Tanzanias ruling party launches presidential campaigns

With exactly 63 days to the Tanzanian presidential and parliamentary elections, thousands of Dar es Salaam residents flooded the Jangwani Grounds to witness Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s official launch of its campaigns.

As expected, majority of those who attended expressed optimism that the next president of the United Republic of Tanzania will restore unity among opposing political factions, even as the competition seems to cause disquiet in CCM.

The youth, who are leading CCM’s political campaigns, say that they are looking into a better future of reassured quality education and better jobs.

However, CCM is considered to be a conservative party that has thrived for over fifty years on Julius Nyerere’s legacy and doctrine that called for the unity of Tanzania through CCM.

Despite the youth being seen as the swing vote, Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s solid support lies among the old generation that is considered less liberal.

A couple of music stars in the predominantly Bongo land have also joined CCM campaigns including notable names like Diamond of the hit ‘Number One’.

CCM’s presidential candidate John Pombe Magufuli, who is also the Minister for Roads and Infrastructure, is viewed by party supporters as the best choice to take over from outgoing President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

If successful, Magufuli will become the country’s fifth president and will serve for a five-year re-elective post.

However, he is facing stiff competition from opposition Chadema’s Edward Lowassa who served as Kikwete’s prime minister between 2005 and 2008.

Lowassa’s financial muscle and political influence as well as performance are a force to reckon with.

So far, eight candidates are in the Kikwete’s succession race.