Tanzania's CCM: Is the Benign Hegemony Crumbling?

This research paper analyzes the political standing of Tanzania's ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), as of late 2012. It examines internal party restructuring, the impact of corruption allegations, and the growing strength of opposition parties ahead of the 2015 elections.

• The CCM has undertaken restructuring efforts to combat declining public approval and corruption allegations. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete initiated a rebranding drive called 'Kujivua gamba’' in 2010 and oversaw the election of new leadership at the 8th National Congress on 14 November 2012, including Philip Mangula as vice chairman (mainland) and Dr Ali Mohamed Shein as vice-chairman (Zanzibar).
• Corruption has significantly damaged the CCM's image and affected international relations. President Kikwete's leadership has been tainted by allegations, including a 2006 bribery scandal involving the Albwardy Group and the May 2012 sacking of six ministers in portfolios including finance, energy, tourism, trade, transport, and health. Consequently, donor countries reduced funding pledges, and Tanzania's East African Bribery Index rose from 31.6% in 2011 to 39.1% in 2012.
• While the CCM maintains a strong grip on power, opposition strength is increasing. In the 2010 elections, President Kikwete's vote share dropped to 62.8% from 80.28% in 2005, and the party's seats in the National Assembly fell from 206 out of 232 to 186 out of 239. The opposition party Chadema saw a significant increase in its national vote share, rising from 5.88% in 2005 to 27.1% in 2010, winning 44 National Assembly seats.
• The CCM faces internal and external pressure for constitutional reform and governance changes. Demands include separating the presidency from the CCM national chairperson's position, reducing presidential powers, and establishing an independent electoral commission. To address this, a Constitutional Review Commission was inaugurated in June 2012, with a deadline to complete its work in October 2013.
• Political tensions exist between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, where some residents feel marginalized. This has led to anti-government protests known as 'Uamsho-Awakening' and the radicalization of youth driven by poverty and unemployment.

APA

Lewela, M., & Kisiangani, E. (2012). Tanzania's CCM: Is the Benign Hegemony Crumbling? Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/tanzanias-ccm-is-the-benign-hegemony-crumbling

Chicago

Lewela, Mashaka, and Emmanuel Kisiangani. Tanzania's CCM: Is the Benign Hegemony Crumbling? Institute for Security Studies, 2012. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/tanzanias-ccm-is-the-benign-hegemony-crumbling.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lewela |first1=Mashaka |last2=Kisiangani |first2=Emmanuel |title=Tanzania's CCM: Is the Benign Hegemony Crumbling? |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=29 November 2012 |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/tanzanias-ccm-is-the-benign-hegemony-crumbling |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lewela2012tanzanias, author = {Lewela, Mashaka and Kisiangani, Emmanuel}, title = {{Tanzania's CCM: Is the Benign Hegemony Crumbling?}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2012}, month = nov, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/tanzanias-ccm-is-the-benign-hegemony-crumbling}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }