By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Prime Minister of Tanzania has surprisingly announced that he will not seek re-election in the country’s October parliamentary elections, effectively shutting himself out of being re-appointed for a fresh term.
Kassim Majaliwa had earlier said that he was ready to defend his legislative seat for a fourth time in the forthcoming legislative polls before making the Wednesday announcement.
“It is time to give others the opportunity to unite and build on the development foundation we’ve established,” Majaliwa said on Wednesday without elaborating on his reasons to pull out from the elections.
Under the country’s constitutional democracy, the Prime Minister leads the government’s business in parliament and is appointed by the President from among the elected parliamentarians.
Majaliwa, 64, was appointed Prime Minister in 2015 and was seen as a possible successor to the late President John Magufuli after his death in 2021.
He has continued to hold the position under the incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking to retain the presidency under her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
Majaliwa, who has represented the coastal Ruangwa region since 2010, said his decision was guided by God and he had made it “in good faith”.
It comes just a week after he said that he would seek another term in parliament.
He also told Ruangwa residents last September that he would run again, but his unexpected withdrawal sparks speculation of a power struggle within the ruling party.
Majaliwa said he would continue serving as a senior CCM official and support Samia’s presidential bid.
Seen as a quiet but firm leader, Majaliwa is credited with ensuring a smooth and calm political transition after Magufuli’s death.
The former teacher rose to become an influential figure within the CCM party, which has governed Tanzania since 1977.
He served as a junior minister under former President Jakaya Kikwete.
His exit follows that of Vice-President Philip Mpango, who in May announced his retirement from politics.
Analysts say the withdrawal of the two senior politicians gives President Samia space to consolidate her control of CCM and craft her second-term leadership line-up.
The country is due to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections, with CCM expected to retain power.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified for refusing to sign up to a code of ethics because it wants a series of electoral reforms that will guarantee the independence of the electoral body.
Its leader, Tundu Lissu is facing treason charges in court and has been in detention for months. Authorities have launched a crackdown on opposition figures, which they defend as a move to ensure peace in the country.
