Tanzania’s Suluhu Launches 2025 Presidential Bid
Tanzania’s Suluhu Launches 2025 Presidential Bid
Suluhu, 65, made history in March 2021 when she became Tanzania’s first female president, succeeding John Magufuli following his sudden death
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially launched her campaign for the 2025 presidential election, aiming for a full term after assuming office in March 2021 following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli.
At 65 years old, she is seeking to become the first elected female president of Tanzania. In January 2025, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party nominated President Suluhu as its candidate for the upcoming election. This nomination was formalized during a special national congress held in Dodoma, marking an unprecedented early selection for the party.
She will be joined on the ticket by Emmanuel Nchimbi, the CCM Secretary General, as her running mate. President Suluhu's campaign centers around her “4R” philosophy: Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform, and Renewal. She emphasizes these principles to foster national unity and progress as Tanzania approaches the elections scheduled for October 28, 2025.
However, her administration has faced criticism for increasing authoritarian practices. Once celebrated for human rights advocacy, President Suluhu is now accused of political repression, including the arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu on treason charges and the disqualification of the Chadema party from the election. These actions have raised concerns among international observers about the state of democracy in Tanzania.
The political landscape is further complicated by the emergence of challengers. Dorothy Semu, leader of the ACT Wazalendo party, has officially entered the race, collecting nomination forms to run for president. Additionally, Doyo Hassani Doyo of the Nation League for Democracy (NLD) has announced his candidacy, focusing on issues such as unemployment, education, and corruption.
As Tanzania approaches the 2025 general election, the political climate is marked by heightened tensions, with debates over democratic reforms and governance practices taking center stage.
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