Africa-Press – Tanzania. IN a bold reaffirmation of his political ambitions, the chairman of the People’s Liberation Party (CHAUMA), Hashim Rungwe, has declared his unwavering intent to contest for the presidency once again in the 2025 general elections, despite his previous setbacks.
In an exclusive interview with Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), he expressed that despite not securing the presidency in previous attempts, his resolve to lead Tanzania remains as strong as ever, emphasizing that his ambition to lead the country remains far from over.
He emphasized that, according to the constitution, he is allowed to run as many times as necessary, and he will continue to pursue his goal until the people decide otherwise.
“I still have the desire to run for president because I have not yet achieved it. Even if I fail, I will keep running, as the constitution allows. The decision lies with the people; if they see I am fit for the role, they will vote for me. But I’m waiting for the General Meeting to decide. It’s not up to me alone, it’s the delegates who will make the final decision,” he stated.
Rungwe explained that CHAUMA is already preparing for the 2025 elections, including organizing a General Meeting to select candidates for both the Mainland and Isles presidential races.
He also shared his optimistic view of the political landscape in Tanzania, acknowledging that the country’s political environment is generally positive, despite occasional challenges.
He downplayed concerns about recent political developments, stating that such issues are common in any democratic system.
“What has changed this year? Nothing has changed significantly this year, we are not advocating for the cancellation of elections. These very laws that some criticize have allowed other parties to win seats in parliament and councils, with some parties securing up to 60 or 70 seats. Why should we stop elections?” he argued. “No clause in the constitution demands that we abandon elections,” he noted.
Despite CHAUMA’s lack of success in previous elections, Rungwe expressed confidence that the party will continue to participate, emphasizing that elections are a necessary part of democratic progress.
“When it is your time, as determined by God, you will achieve it. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Why should I reject the election process? Once the election is over, we wait another five years, and no matter how good they may seem. Someone will always be disappointed, there will still be complaints,” he said.
Regarding rumors of members leaving other parties to join CHAUMA, Rungwe clarified that while he has heard the speculation, no such members have officially joined the party.
However, he affirmed that the party is open to receiving new members, as CHAUMA belongs to the people, and individuals have the freedom to join any political group they choose.
“I hear these rumors as well, and sometimes I see them in the newspapers, but for me, no one has come to join yet. If they do, we will welcome them. This party belongs to the people, and they decide who they want to support, just as they decide who to vote for. If someone wants to run for a position and the law allows it, we will provide the opportunity,” Rungwe explained.
He also emphasized that the party’s vision focuses on the well-being of the citizens, particularly in improving access to food.
“The first priority must be to ensure citizens have access to food. While I will work on infrastructure such as building bridges and railways, the most important issue is the health of the people. If they are healthy, we can focus on other developments. CHAUMA’s policies are not just about infrastructure; we are committed to improving the lives of Tanzanians,” he said.
Rungwe noted that there have been positive changes in the country, including new construction and urban development, indicating the country’s progress.
“Developments are visible. If you walk or drive around, you can see the changes. Cities are expanding, new buildings are going up, and the country is progressing. These changes will continue,” he concluded.
Rungwe also pointed out his confidence that, regardless of whether the party fields a candidate, the people will vote in the upcoming election without hesitation.
“We have a person from the local government in Mbeya at the town market. We also gained support from Kibakwe. There are many Tanzanians who support our party. You will see in the election that if we present a candidate, the people will vote without any hesitation,” he concluded.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
