Tanzania is gearing up for a constitutional referendum amid renewed and intense political activity ahead of the General Election in October next year.

 

Tanzania: Outgoing Kikwete dancing with Zuma some time back.

President Jakaya Kikwete’s succession politics is taking centre stage in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) with top guns angling to succeed Kikwete rolling up their sleeves. With Kikwete set to retire in October next year, the succession will be closely watched by East African Community (EAC) member countries as well as other regional economic blocs across the continent. Already, those believed to be seeking the CCM presidential ticket ahead of the party’s nominations in May next year include Deputy Minister January Makamba, former premier Frederick Sumaye, and ministers Stephen Wassira and Benard Membe. Makamba recently rattled the political scene when he declared his intention to run in the CCM presidential nomination. And as if building bridges beyond Tanzania, Makamba was last week in Nairobi where he gave a series of public lectures on leadership and integrity. Makamba, the youthful Communication, Science and Technology Deputy Minister who, between 2005 and 2010, served as Kikwete’s personal assistant before plunging into parliamentary politics in 2010, is seen as one of the front-runners of the CCM presidential nominations. In an interview with The Standard on Sunday, Makamba talked of the need for a new generational leadership, his chances of securing the CCM ticket and his four-point agenda for Tanzania. See also: Dar to issue revised GDP this November “The party leadership knows my capabilities and I have very good chances of securing the CCM ticket given my political experience and youthful energy. CCM is looking for fresh blood to counter balance the image of old and ageing party,” said Makamba, who has been named by Forbes magazine as one of 10 most influential men in Africa in 2014. Political scientist Amukowa Anangwe says  Kikwete may have some influence on who should carry the CCM flag. “Its possible for Kikwete to quietly influence who becomes his successor and whoever he supports will be supported by CCM. Equally, whoever CCM supports will become president,” added Anangwe, a former Kenyan minister. Anangwe, who teaches at the University of Dodoma,  further noted: “Next year could be a busy year for Tanzanians given they are to hold a constitutional referendum on the moderated constitution and the general elections as well.” Internal affair Dr Joseph Misoi, a former Assistant minister,  agrees and says  history has over the years demonstrated that Tanzanians’ decision on who leads them is usually strictly an internal issue, dealt with internally. “Its not like here in Kenya where we move around seeking global support and fund-raising for the elections. For Tanzania,   theirs is usually an internal affair with no foreign influence emerging,” said Misoi. In the coming elections, CCM’s major test will come from the country’s biggest opposition party Chadema, but given its strong grassroots network, CCM is all but assured of victory. For CCM, it has been a tradition that a candidate for the presidency pay a deposit of Shillings 1 million and have the written support of 250 people from each of eight mainland regions plus two Zanzibar regions.

CCM party members in the constituencies around the country first sign up for the candidates they prefer and then the CCM National Executive Committee (225 members) sorts these out and submits the names of five of the most popular candidates to the 36-member Central Committee. Finally, the Central committee then hears individual presentations and submits the names of three candidates to the party’s Congress in Dodoma to make its final choice of the party’s presidential candidate. Makamba, while maintaining he has what it takes to go through the rigorous process of party nominations, says the fact that he is from a political family (son of former CCM Secretary General Mzee Yusuf Makamba), does not mean he was riding on the family name. “A political name is a double edged sword as it helps but also hinders. It helps in the fact that there may be a ready network of supporters but also hinders because people may always associate you with his style, which may not be the case,” notes Makamba. Makamba joined Tanzania’s Foreign Ministry as a Foreign Service Officer in 2003, working directly for President Kikwete, who was then Foreign Minister. Makamba also served as an advisor to Kikwete’s presidential campaign. Makamba is also one of one of the most influential leaders of the CCM. He sits on the Party’s National Executive Committee and was CCM’s Political Affairs and International Relations Secretary in 2011. He has been credited with fiercely fighting corruption in his country and he is currently spearheading a mobile anti-corruption campaign using the mobile phone technology. Huge experience See also: Dar to issue revised GDP this November “Having been involved in presidential campaigns earlier, serving in foreign ministry and holding party positions among others, I feel I have enough experience required to run for the highest office in Tanzania,” added Makamba. He says he has identified a four-point agenda for Tanzania if given a chance to lead the country. “First I will seek to improve people’s individual income through promotion of agricultural activities, fishing and expansion of small and medium businesses,” said Makamba. He says he will also have to prioritise the growth of social services right from education, health provision and even provision of clean water for all. “For the economy to grow, it has to be well serviced and this is why I want to focus on the Information-Communication Technology (ICT), the energy sector, financial services sector and the infrastructural sector and ensure they grow,” added Makamba. He says his fourth focus will be on good governance and ethics, noting he would put in place an honest and accountable government, where all people are treated equally before the law. Makamba also emphasises the importance of Tanzania cultivating good relations with its neighbours, noting Tanzania was committed to the East African Community (EAC) ideals. “Relations between Kenya and Uganda are cordial though President Uhuru Kenyatta is yet to make a State visit to Tanzania since his election, but we hope he will soon. The future is not to have bilateral relations be affected by EAC politics, but to have the EAC as a focal point for our relations,” said Makamba. Anangwe says a referendum vote on a new constitution in Tanzania is likely to have an  impact on their general elections if it is held before the general elections.