GET TO KNOW WHO IS WHO IN CCM

Dodoma/Dar.  Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has completed its intra party elections and come up with what it believes to be a strong leadership line-up ready to face the Opposition in the 2015 polls.As expected, President Jakaya Kikwete, was handed a second, five-year term as the party’s chairman. Though his re-election can be regarded as easy, there were some upsetting events, including underground campaigns to have him stripped of the post.Some members thought that it would be better for the party to separate posts of the national chairman and the head of state in order to give the party supremo more time to strengthen it, but this was not to be.

While re-election of President Kikwete was expected, the party has surprised political pundits, following its nomination and approval of Mr Phillip Mangula, its former secretary general, into the position of Vice Chairman for the Mainland.It was also expected that Dr Ali Mohammed Shein, the Zanzibar President, would succeed Mr Amani Abeid Karume as CCM Vice Chairman for the Isles.

These three will form the core of the CCM Central Committee, the influential group of party leaders who deliberate on the organisation, activities and political direction which the party and/or the nation takes.The Central Committee comprises of about 40 people, most of whom become members by virtue of their positions in other party organs.

The only exception is for 16 members, eight from each part of the Union elected by the National Executive Committee on recommendation by the national chairman from 30 names, 15 from each side of the Union.
Those who become members of CC, basing on their positions, include the Party Secretary General and two deputies from the Mainland and Zanzibar. These were also to be elected by NEC yesterday.Others are heads of four departments of Organisation, Politics and International Relations, Ideology and Publicity as well as Economy and Finance.

Until yesterday noon, these posts were being held by Kidawa Hamid Salehe, Januari Makamba, Nape Nnauye and Mwigulu Mchemba respectively. The NEC was yesterday expected to make changes in the line-up.

National chairmen of party wings, namely Parents (Tapa), Women (UWT) and Youth (UVCCM), also become CC members automatically. Basing on results from recent elections, these are Mr Abdallah Bulembo, who was elected the Tapa national chairman, Ms Sophia Simba (UWT) and Mr Sadifa Juma Khamis (UVCCM). Others who become CC members by virtue of their positions include the Speaker of the National Assembly, currently Ms Anne Makinda and Speaker of the House of Representatives, currently Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho.

The chairman of CCM legislators and his counterpart from the House of Representatives are also CC members.
Analysts have commented on CCM’s new line-up and specifically highlighted the Mr Mangula’s comeback saying it would be a boost for the party.Mr Mangula, who served as CCM secretary general and resigned in 2007, was yesterday expected to be elected as the deputy chairman (Mainland).

Mr Hamad Salim, a Political Science lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), hinted that Mr Mangula had the best record during his time, and was leading according to principles. Maybe that was why the party chairperson nominated him.
“He has the power to bring together all networks in the party, and this is a way of preparing themselves for the coming general election in 2015,” he said, adding that this will revive the party’s strength.

Corroborating with him, the Political Science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Mr Bashiru Ally, said that he needs a stronger Secretary General because he is not the one to implement policies. “He has a good track record when it comes to the party winning, but he is not for ideology issues,” noted Mr Ally, adding that a stronger secretary general will complement his job because Mr Mangula has been out of politics for a while.

The executive secretary of the Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives, Mr Willigis Mbogoro, said networks in the party led to the loss of resourceful persons, and the idea of re-calling Mr Mangula will be the base for building a stronger party.
“He is not tied to any network so far, and this will bring back reaspect to the party as he is a very keen person and I expect him to use his techniques in building –up the party,” asserted Mr Mbogoro.

Meanwhile, scores of members of the CCM national congress have commended this year’s meeting for increased members’ participation in provision of views. Mr Peter Mlowe, a member of the general congress from Njombe, said previously the arrangement in the meetings was not giving a chance to many of them to contribute to discussions.

This achievement, he said, was due to the introduction of a new system whereby members were divided into groups and were supposed to discuss presentations made by ministers on what they have done in implementings the 2010 manifesto.“Some of us lacked accommodation because some of the candidates for the NEC’s posts came with their supporters. Therefore lodges were fully occupied,” he said.

Mr Makame Faili Ali, a member of the congress from Pemba North, also described the meeting as having improved since many of them got chances to speak. He said the discussions in the congress were constructive because members debated many thorny issues that needed immediate solutions.“I think one of the challenges is thats members are not yet united for the party’s prosperity,” he said.
Reported by Bernard Lugongo in Dodoma; Peter Nyanje and Alex Bitekeye in Dar