Zanzibar — Five Vie for CCM Presidential Nomination

By George Mtimbwa

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• Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has expressed her intention to run for Zanzibar 2020 presidential election.
• Political predictions show only those who only have influence on Zanzibar are less likely to be approved.
• Those influential on both sides are considered to be the most likely positions in the top CCM approval.

Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein is set to complete his ten-year tenure as President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, an island nation with local authority in Tanzania. For that scenario, in the October general election this year, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party needs to have a new presidential candidate.

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)— “Party of the Revolution”— is the dominant ruling party in Tanzania and the second longest-ruling party in Africa, only after National Party of South Africa. It was formed in 1977, following the merger of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), which were the sole operating parties in mainland Tanzania and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar respectively.

Before the party is the question of who will carry the CCM flag. First of all, it is important to understand the politics of the old party when it comes time to find their representative in Zanzibar. The presidential aspirants are divided into two groups.

One is the most influential in Zanzibar, but their influence is limited on the Tanzanian mainland. Another is influential on both sides of the Channel. Political predictions show only those who only have influence on Zanzibar are less likely to be approved. Those influential on both sides are considered to be the most likely positions in the top CCM approval.

Another important thing to understand is that the current CCM does not prefer to have a candidate who relies on radical conservative politics. The politics of hate and bigotry have brought a lot of chaos within Zanzibar over the years. They appear to be ineffective for the well-being and interests of the party on the islands.

If you leave those, and look at the other side of the shilling, those with independent politics and those who do not want to be dragged, and have little chance of passing, because the current CCM does not want the history of Aboud Jumbe to repeat. In other words, the party is in desperate need of someone with the politics of obedience.

Who is expected to lead CCM in Zanzibar?

Prof. Makame Mbarawa

He is a scholar in the field of Marine Engineering. He spent most of his time in Russia, Australia, and South Africa for education and employment. If you go back a decade, you will find Prof. Mbarawa was not a prominent figure in the Tanzanian political arena.

Tanzania’s fourth president, Jakaya Kikwete, introduced Mbarawa to politics after nominating him as MP and Minister of Communications, Science, and Technology. In this phase of President John Magufuli, Prof. Mbarawa is the Minister for Water and Irrigation.

He is mentioned in the front row to carry the CCM Zanzibar flag in the presidential elections, and his best card is obedience.

Dr. Hussein Mwinyi

This is the son of the second President of Tanzania, Ali Hassan Mwinyi. In these times, when many young people are constantly questioning Zanzibr’s interests in the Union and Tanganyika, Dr. Mwinyi is seen as the key to waving the banner of CCM in Zanzibar, not only because of his politics of obedience but also because his political and religious relationship is on both sides of the Channel.

He has been involved in political activity since 2000, which is to say he is no stranger to Tanzanian politics. He has served as a member of parliament on both sides of the Union. This means his political journey is similar to that of his father, who served for the presidency on both sides of the Union.

The president Republic of Zanzibar and Pemda is the head of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, which is a semi-autonomous government within Tanzania. The current president is Ali Mohamed Shein.

Major General Issa S. Nassor

This is a new name in the ears of many when it comes to Tanzanian politics, but it is not new in the military arena. Gen. Nassor has served in the Tanzanian Army for many years before being appointed Ambassador to Egypt from 2017 to 2019. Although not a major name in politics, circles in Zanzibar describe him as unconventional and partisan.

Dr. Mahadi Juma Maalim

He was the Ambassador to Tanzania in Kuwait. Before that, he was MP for Muyuni constituency, Zanzibar, 2010-2015. He has also served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Professionally, he is a lawyer and journalist. He is said to have pure politics, but his political influence is still young on both sides of the Union. In spite of these circumstances, he is also said to be among those who intend to run for CCM in Zanzibar at the presidential level.

Mohammed Abood Mohamed

He is currently the Minister of State for the Second Vice President’s office in Zanzibar. A veteran of Tanzanian politics, he has been involved in politics since 2000. He has served in the Ministries of Union and Zanzibar. He has also served as a Member of Parliament in Tanzania, and a representative in the Zanzibar House of Representatives.

Professionally, he has studied business studies. His experience serving in both governments puts him in a competitive position in this tournament. Its politics are subjective but its political influence remains on Zanzibar’s borders.