Tanzania’s 2025 General Elections warms up as Tundu Lissu wins main opposition party’s top Post

Advocate Tindu Antipas Lissu, the former Presidential Candidate for the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo in Tanzania has emerged the winner of the party’s top chairperson post.

The outspoken Human Rights Activist Lissu, who in 2017 was showered by bullets in Dodoma, has dethroned the former CHADEMA Chairperson, Freeman Aikaeli Mbowe who has been at the party’s helm for nearly 25 years.

CHADEMA is the most popular opposition party in Tanzania and due to this, its General Meeting held in Dar-es-salaam kept most people in the country vigil, staying awake to follow on the historical elections.

As the jubilant Lissu becomes the party’s new Chairperson, by more than 51 percent of total votes, another victorious candidate, John Heche takes over as the new Vice Chairperson with 53 percent.

The Chadema Vice Chairperson position was previously held by advocate Lissu, who has now climbed up one step.

Former Chairperson, Freeman Mbowe has also hailed the victory of his opponent, insisting that the development had proven how democratic their party was compared to other political groups.

Zitto Kabwe from the other opposition party ACT Wazalendo, praised the decision of party members for electing new people to pilot CHADEMA, saying “We strongly support and welcome you in the ongoing struggle for democracy!”

For majority of Tanzanians, the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendelo polls set very high standards for democratic elections in the country, having been free, transparent and competitive.

Tundu Lissu becomes the fourth chairperson to lead CHADEMA since the party was founded in 1992.

Founder, Edwin Mtei the former Central Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor, was the first Chairman.

Later, Bob Makani another economist took over the party’s top post before being succeeded by Freeman Mbowe who now bows out in 2025.

It is now left to be announced if Tundu Lissu will also vie for the Tanzanian Presidency during the forthcoming General Elections of 2025 against the incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has also been endorsed by her party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).