Double Standard on Premature Campaigning Spurs Controversy in Tanzania’s Politics.

By Adonis Byemelwa

In a stunning twist of Tanzanian politics, a glaring double standard has emerged on the premature campaigning ban, as influential leaders endorse the practice while seemingly discouraging it.

The spotlight falls on Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, orchestrating a triumphant fundraising spectacle to secure President Samia's 2025 presidential nomination form, amassing a whopping 120 million Tanzanian shillings.

The fundraising initiative, kickstarted by a female entrepreneur at a women's conference in Dar es Salaam's Diamond Jubilee Hall on 10^th March 2024, showcased gratitude for positive changes under President Samia's leadership. Despite the initial symbolic donation of one thousand shillings, Prime Minister Majaliwa emphasized its inadequacy, leading to a substantial total of 120 million shillings being raised during the event.

While accolades were showered upon President Samia at the Women's Conference for her achievements in promoting clean energy, environmental conservation, and maternal and child health, the unfolding controversy exposes a deeper issue within Tanzanian politics.

Last year, Abdulrahman Kinana, Vice-Chairman of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), cautioned members against premature campaigning, urging them to wait for the appropriate election time. Kinana stressed the importance of evaluating candidates based on various criteria, including votes received, avoidance of corruption, refraining from early campaigning, and maintaining ethical behavior. However, recent events suggest a contradiction in the application of these principles.

Analysts are now questioning the appropriateness of political leaders endorsing candidates well before the official campaign period, creating a potential disadvantage for other aspiring candidates. The controversy reached new heights when a war of words erupted between the Member of Parliament for Nkenge, Florent Kyombo, Misenyi District, in Kagera Region, and the former MP, Asumpta Mshama. Mshama criticized the current leadership while promoting her development efforts through online platforms.

The Nkenge constituency has become a battleground, with aspiring candidates challenging the incumbent MP, even resorting to keeping them awake at night. This raises concerns about the fairness of the political landscape, especially considering that during President Magufuli's term, opposition parties were restricted from campaigning to focus on post-election development.

Former Arusha Urban MP Godbless Lema opposed such restrictions, citing constitutional rights to political activities. Questions now arise about the inconsistency in applying campaign restrictions, especially as President Samia actively discusses the 2025 elections and receives endorsements from various corners.

The controversy extends to the financial contributions made by over 3,500 school heads on December 19 to support President Samia's second-term candidacy. Contributing over 3 million Tanzanian shillings collectively, the school heads expressed their endorsement through financial means.

Similarly, on January 5, the CCM in the Tanga region contributed 1.7 million Tanzanian shillings towards President Samia's nomination form expenses. The chairman cited outstanding performance as the reason behind their financial support.

The unfolding narrative indicates a complex political environment where leaders encourage premature campaigning while cautioning against it. The double standard raises questions about the motives behind such endorsements and financial contributions. If political leaders are confident in their performance, the controversy begs the question: why the apparent fear of competition?

In one of the public meetings, CCM Secretary Paul Makonda revealed that many businessmen join the party to evade taxes and scrutiny from anti-corruption bodies and revenue authorities. Makonda's assertion mirrors the scenario where women contribute funds for President Samia's nomination forms, with some contributors potentially harboring political aspirations or seeking future appointments.

The controversy deepens when considering the historical context of citizens refraining from telling their leaders the truth about pressing issues such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, and tax burdens. This culture of flattery, dating back to Mwalimu Nyerere's era, has persisted, perpetuating a narrative that everything is fine even in challenging times.

In a notable development, women are showering praises on President Samia for championing clean energy. However, the shift to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) comes at a cost, with a 6kg LPG tank priced at Sh50,000 to Sh60,000 for first-time buyers, as disclosed by Oryx Tanzania's Marketing Director, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed. Despite LPG being a more economical cooking energy source than charcoal, which has a retail price of Sh7,000, the initial expense for LPG raises concerns. Notably, the use of LPG surged by 17 times to 80,000 tons in 2018 from 5,000 tons in 2006.

Campaigning for clean energy through Taifa Gas, a company associated with billionaire Rostam Aziz, former Energy Minister January Makamba distributed LPG tanks to women in rural areas. However, critics raise concerns about the financial strain on villagers when it comes to refilling their gas supply once it depletes. The laudable initiative faces scrutiny as the sustainability of the transition to clean energy is questioned, putting the spotlight on the economic realities of those it aims to benefit.

Highlighting a significant advantage, Mohammed acknowledged the initial cost gap, emphasizing that a family spending Sh1,500 to Sh3,000 daily on charcoal could cut their monthly expenses to Sh20,000 by opting for LPG. This cost-effective transition extends the usage of an LPG tank to over 25 days.

The ongoing discussion on the financial viability of embracing clean energy remains pivotal, especially in light of the economic struggles faced by rural communities heavily reliant on charcoal and firewood. This dependence contributes significantly to the pressing issue of deforestation. Notably, only 0.4% of the rural population currently utilizes clean energy, and a mere 19% of Tanzania's population, exceeding 62 million, has adopted cleaner energy sources.

In the evolving political panorama of Tanzania, the persisting double standard on premature campaigning remains a hotly debated issue. This incongruity not only challenges the equity of the political arena but also prompts skepticism about the authenticity of leaders who both endorse and restrict such practices.

As the nation hurtles towards the 2025 elections, mastering this intricate political terrain becomes pivotal, holding the power to mold the future trajectory of Tanzanian politics. Will fairness prevail, or will the double standard endure? The political stage stands poised for its next chapter, sparking anticipation and speculation alike.