Finding the new Mwalimu

The real presidential contest is for nomination by the still ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi

Next month, the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has produced all four presidents since Independence in 1961, is due to announce its candidate in Tanzania's presidential elections due in October. Given the weakness of the 16 opposition parties and their inability to cooperate against the CCM, its victory is almost certain. So the real race is the battle within the CCM for the presidential nomination. Whoever wins, President Benjamin Mkapa is set to retire gracefully in November, at the end of his second term in office. However, some 15 candidates for the succession (and the list is still growing) criss-cross the country in search of support. Old and young, rich and poor, Muslims and Christians, all hope for better things with a new president in charge. Further afield, hope reigns that the country's 44 years of peace and stability will continue.

Article Tags:
Kikwete ahead of Salim, Jakaya Kikwete, British, Salim Ahmed Salim, John Malecela, Mark Mwandosya, Ibrahim Lipumba, Julius Nyerere, Ali Mohammed Shein, Chinese, Switzerland, Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chama cha Mapinduzi, Takrima, Muafaka, New African

end of preview

To read the rest of the article you need to either log in or do one of the following:

Subscribe to Africa Confidential Find out more
Purchase this article on its own Find out more

If you have a print subscription already please click here for full access to the website.
If you have already logged in and believe you should have access to this article please contact customer services.