Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu
Dar es Salaam. Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu has made a bold declaration to party aspirants seeking elective positions in the upcoming General Election, asserting that political change in Tanzania may require radical measures, including civil disobedience.
Addressing aspirants for various elective positions in the upcoming General Election, Mr Lissu said the political environment in Tanzania is akin to a slaughterhouse, where participating in elections under the current system would be equivalent to walking into a trap.
He cautioned against blind participation, arguing that without electoral reforms, the process would be neither free nor fair.
“The elections in Tanzania today are a slaughterhouse. To participate in them as they are is to march into a massacre. If you tell us to proceed regardless, then you are not serious,” Lissu remarked.
Reaffirming the party’s stance of ‘No Reform, No Election,’ Lissu dismissed claims that boycotting the polls would weaken Chadema. Instead, he insisted that taking a firm stand against the system was the only way to bring about meaningful change.
“If people think we were joking when we declared ‘No Reform, No Election’ on December 3, 2024, they are mistaken. This is not a strategy to negotiate for political favours – it is a commitment to systemic change,” he said.
Mr Lissu emphasized that the party’s decision was made collectively, endorsed by the Central Committee, the National Executive Council and ultimately, the General Congress. He reminded the audience that these decisions were taken before he assumed the party’s chairmanship, underscoring that the stance was institutional rather than personal.
Acknowledging concerns that the party’s approach could provoke confrontation with the government, Lissu drew comparisons with historical figures who endured persecution in the struggle for liberation. He referenced Tanzania’s founding father, Julius Nyerere, as well as other African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda and Jomo Kenyatta, all of whom were jailed before achieving political success.
“In liberation politics, being arrested and tried is a badge of honour. We will disrupt this election. If that leads to rebellion, so be it,” Lissu declared, suggesting that the party’s resistance could escalate into open defiance.
He dismissed concerns that the party’s stance would lead to the loss of parliamentary representation. “We are told we will have no Constituency MPs, no Special Seats MPs, no councillors, no president. But do we have them now? We have not died. Why should we fear?” he questioned.
Lissu called on Chadema aspirants to embrace the struggle for reforms rather than focusing solely on personal political ambitions. He challenged those hoping for electoral success within the current system to reconsider their approach.
“We could incite violence to achieve our goals – but what we are doing is much bigger. We are fighting for real change. If you are thinking about running for office under these circumstances, forget it. I, too, had ambitions, but now I have set them aside. We are going to shake things up,” Lissu asserted.
He rallied party members, urging them to stay committed to the movement despite the risks. “This is a tough path. No party has ever taken this stand before in Tanzania. But we must be ready. We will win. Do not be afraid,” he affirmed.
