As Tanzanians headed to the polls this week, one truth loomed large: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) — the party born of the liberation struggle led by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere — stands poised to extend its unbroken 69-year rule, reaffirming its place as Africa’s longest-serving political organization.
Emerging from Tanzania’s independence movement in 1961 and merging into CCM in 1977, the party has become both a symbol of postcolonial pride and a subject of modern scrutiny.
Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female head of state, the ruling party appears headed for another landslide victory, despite opposition boycotts, disqualifications, and allegations of repression.
CCM’s longevity is rooted in its ideological foundation — the Ujamaa (African socialism) philosophy championed by Nyerere, emphasizing self-reliance, unity, and people-centred development.
Though Tanzania has since embraced a multiparty system, the spirit of Ujamaa remains deeply woven into its political fabric.
President Hassan’s 2025 campaign, built around the slogan “Work and Dignity,” echoes these liberation ideals while appealing to a new generation of Tanzanians seeking stability, opportunity, and a sense of identity.
“CCM is not just a party — it’s a movement that embodies Tanzania’s soul,” said Dr. Richard Mbunda, political scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam. “Its strength lies in its ability to evolve without abandoning its ideological roots.”
This year’s election, however, unfolded under controversy. Major opposition parties, including CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo, were barred from participating. CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu remains in detention facing treason charges — allegations he denies — while ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina was disqualified by the electoral commission on technical grounds.
International observers and human rights groups have raised concerns that the exclusion of key opposition figures undermines Tanzania’s democratic credentials.
Nicodemus Minde of the Institute for Security Studies noted that CCM entered the polls “virtually unchallenged,” marking the first time since 1992 that the country’s elections have proceeded without meaningful opposition.
Still, many Tanzanians — especially in rural areas — continue to identify with CCM’s Pan-African message of self-determination, stability, and economic independence.
“People remember what CCM has built — schools, roads, and peace,” said Amina Nchimbi, a trader in Dodoma. “We may not agree with everything, but we trust it keeps the country together.”
Across Southern Africa, liberation movements such as ZANU PF (Zimbabwe), ANC (South Africa), SWAPO (Namibia), and FRELIMO (Mozambique) are confronting similar challenges — balancing their liberation heritage with the demands of a new generation.
Analysts argue that these parties face external pressures from Western nations and NGOs seeking to promote liberal democracy and market reforms. In this context, CCM’s expected victory is being framed by regional observers as a defence of African sovereignty against “neo-colonial political engineering.”
“Tanzania’s election is more than a domestic event,” said Luqman Maloto, political commentator. “It’s a statement that liberation movements remain central to Africa’s story — unfinished, evolving, and deeply rooted in people’s history.”
With over 68 million citizens, two-thirds of whom are under 35, Tanzania’s future rests with its youth.
Contrary to stereotypes of apathy, many young people are embracing nationalist and Pan-African values, calling for leadership grounded in integrity and local empowerment.
President Hassan’s administration has emphasized education, manufacturing, and job creation — themes resonating with young voters who see themselves as the next custodians of the liberation legacy.
“We are not just inheriting CCM’s history,” said Joseph Mrema, a university student. “We are shaping what freedom means in our time.”
While CCM’s dominance underscores stability, critics caution that Tanzania risks drifting toward one-party hegemony if political space remains closed.
Western governments have voiced concerns over internet shutdowns and curfews imposed on election day, warning that such actions could erode trust in state institutions.
Still, the government maintains that its policies safeguard peace and sovereignty in a region often rocked by instability.
For many observers, CCM’s continued rule represents both a triumph of African endurance and a test of democratic resilience. As liberation parties across the continent face generational change and external scrutiny, Tanzania’s model — for better or worse — stands as a mirror for postcolonial governance in Africa.
“The liberation struggle did not end with independence,” said Professor Asha Nderitu, a Pan-African scholar. “It continues in how we define our sovereignty, defend our cultures, and control our destiny.”
President Hassan’s likely victory signals continuity rather than change — a reaffirmation that, six decades after independence, Tanzania’s revolution still speaks the language of liberation, even as it faces the demands of a digital, globalized world.
