CHADEMA’s Civic Tech Paradox: A Tool for Growth Now Revealing Divisions

Print or Email This Article

CHADEMA, Tanzania’s leading opposition party, has long been celebrated for its ability to engage and mobilize citizens through civic technology. Its pioneering use of digital tools and social media platforms in political discourse has made it a formidable force in Tanzania’s political landscape.

This role became particularly evident and strongly established its foundation during the 2010 elections, where civic tech through digital citizen engagement significantly boosted CHADEMA’s visibility and influence.

As having a huge number of CHADEMA netizens, it led to the widespread digital engagement in the Tanzanian political sphere, especially that of current political issues.

Of all the parties in Tanzania (Considering the top popular ones at that time being around five parties, CCM, CUF, CHADEMA and NCCR), CHADEMA was the one party which leveraged digital citizen engagement and also a party with most social media political activists  – it not only amplified its popularity but also undermined the public perception of then-President Jakaya Kikwete.

Despite Kikwete’s charismatic campaign, which gained him a victory of 76.83 % in 2005, with the first runner-up being Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba from the Civic United Front (CUF) and the second runner-up, Freeman Mbowe from the Party of Democracy and Development (CHADEMA) to 62% in 2010.

From External Challenges to Internal Struggles: CHADEMA’s Complex Relationship with Civic Tech

Civic tech has always had a complex outlook on freedom of expression in Tanzania, especially during Tanzania’s general elections. Historically, challenges to its effectiveness have stemmed from external forces, such as government crackdowns or resource limitations. CHADEMA has faced such challenges for the past two general elections.

However, recently, it has been the opposite; the challenges have stemmed from within. CHADEMA’s recent internal struggles have been amplified by Digital Civic Engagement, revealing an alarming shift in the party’s perception.

This shift raises sincere concerns about the party’s ability to sustain its earlier successes of a positive image of the main opposition party, especially to most of its followers.

For instance, in 2015, CHADEMA’s election digital engagement and monitoring team were sabotaged when their team was hijacked, and critical devices and gadgets were seized.

Despite these setbacks, CHADEMA made a remarkable improvement in 2020, leveraging lessons from the past. They were prepared, employing a dual strategy of physical and virtual monitoring.

ALSO, READ: Government Spokesperson Labels Key Reports as ‘Fake News’ – What’s the Real Story?

Their virtual teams ensured continuity and effectiveness even when two physical digital monitoring sites were dismantled. This strategic resilience demonstrated CHADEMA’s capacity to leverage digital technology positively.

Shifting Dynamics – Civic Tech’s Double-Edged Sword

Today, the question remains: where did it all go wrong? Where is the foresight that the party once leveraged out of these technologies? Political observers and enthusiasts have noted rising tension over the past six to seven months, with minor elements that have gradually erupted.

The amplification of these digital citizen engagements stemming from a variety of political, social media activists has been done in two ways: internally through the party’s Vice Chair, Tundu Lissu, and externally through Peter Msigwa.

They have both directly expressed dissatisfaction towards the party chair, Freeman Mbowe, who had Msigwa leave the party after claiming that the election race for the Chairmanship of the Nyasa Region was rigged following his loss to opponent Joseph Mbilinyi.

The tension gradually grew and culminated with Lissu declaring his candidacy on December 17th, just weeks before the elections were set to take place in January.

The very tools that once symbolized CHADEMA’s strength and ingenuity are now at the heart of its internal fragility. The decentralized and fast-paced nature of civic tech has amplified internal divisions, fueled technology, facilitated violence and abuse, misinformation, and disrupted the party’s ability to maintain cohesive governance and digital communication.

Civic tech, once a driving force for CHADEMA’s growth and influence, now appears to be exposing cracks in its foundation, challenging its principles of transparency, accountability, and unity.

To most, CHADEMA is identified as the biggest opposition party in Tanzania, the ultimate alternative for those not in favour of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). 

What is Happening?

CHADEMA has long struggled to manage internal differences privately, with challenges often leaking out. However, these issues have now become more visible and apparent to the public.

The party has also nurtured political activists known for their aggressive online tactics, often using confrontational and abusive language. While this approach initially worked in their favour, it is now counterproductive and damaging to their image.

Through the leading X platform when it comes to serious national conversations – where many Tanzanian elites, political activists, influencers, leaders, and enthusiasts converge, an internal divide within CHADEMA has been exposed.

Social Media posts, especially on the X platform, from a variety of political activists such Ezekiah Wenje, Yericko Nyerere, Boniface Jacob and others have had other netizens from the party and other parties scrutinizing the conflicting messages from their leaders, which has given birth to the division of members, the so-called Team Lissu and Team Mbowe.

Normally, such conflicts would be aired through anonymous accounts, but in this case, party leaders at various levels use their verified, well-known names to criticize one another publicly. 

For instance, the Chairman of CHADEMA Shinyanga Region, Emmanuel Ntobi, has openly expressed how Tundu Lissu was favoured by being elected over Lazaro Nyalandu, who had won over him.

By airing these disputes on a digital platform, these leaders expose not only their grievances but also the party’s internal weaknesses to the public.

This public airing of dirty laundry damages the party’s image and diminishes its ability to present a united front to its supporters and the broader electorate, especially in the lead-up to critical elections. With so much hit on him, he has had to apologize.

This internal conflict, amplified on digital platforms just 10 months before the general elections, suggests that CHADEMA’s focus has shifted from campaigning for the presidency to resolving internal leadership struggles.

This is disheartening for many of its supporters, especially considering the recent setback where several of the party’s representative names were struck off the list of candidates in the November elections.

The public display of disunity risks damaging CHADEMA’s credibility and weakens its ability to present a cohesive and compelling message to voters ahead of the elections.

These dynamics also emphasize how civic tech, which once helped CHADEMA thrive, has now exposed its vulnerabilities.

The digital platforms that facilitated political engagement now lay bare the party’s internal weaknesses, raising concerns about its ability to mobilize support ahead of the 2025 elections effectively. For CHADEMA to remain relevant, it must address its internal fractures and refocus on the national electoral race.

Is This the End of CHADEMA’s Prominence?

Mbowe has spoken, breaking his usual silence. Known for his strategic approach, Mbowe rarely addresses issues publicly, unlike Lissu, who is more vocal.

In most cases, Mbowe chooses not to engage publicly, which often gives him an advantage in shaping narratives and addressing emerging issues from online conversations. His key message is clear: he still considers himself the right man for the party chair.

When a well-rooted political party like CHADEMA faces internal crises, it is easy to succumb to the narrative that its relevance is diminishing—especially with the dominance of CCM, Tanzania’s long-standing ruling party.

In moments of political drama, particularly when the reputation of a party or its leaders is under scrutiny, most Tanzanians tend to jump to conclusions, assuming that such conflicts mark the end of the party as it is in other national matters.

However, history has shown us that CHADEMA has proven resilient, and while this latest crisis may pose significant challenges, it is premature to declare the party’s demise.

Understanding Tanzanians’ political nature is essential: we thrive on conversations, debates, and the drama of the moment. When controversies arise, especially those involving prominent leaders or reputational damage, there is often a rush to proclaim failure.

Yet, this quick assumption overlooks the deeper roots that CHADEMA has established within Tanzanian politics. Over the years, the party has weathered many storms—decisions that once seemed certain to lead to its downfall have not only been survived but have often fueled its resurgence.

For instance, consider the 2010 elections when CHADEMA’s campaign main message focused on the “list of shame,” targeting prominent political figures like the late Edward Lowassa who was named as “Papa la Mafisadi” translating to “The Shark of Corruption”.

This message initially painted CHADEMA as a party of principled opposition. Yet, just five years later, in 2015, the very same Lowassa became the party’s presidential candidate, a move that ultimately led to CHADEMA’s most successful election results in its history.

A narrative that most emphasised the belief that only someone from within the ruling party could successfully unseat CCM from power.  This demonstrates that political dynamics are fluid, and the narrative of failure is often more about the immediate moment than long-term trends.

The pressure on Mbowe to step down as the party chair is profound, but he is determined, stressing that he has yet to chair the party. What is clear, however, is that this crisis presents a critical juncture for the party and to Mbowe in particular.

It is a wake-up call for Mbowe and the leadership. Once this internal election is over, they must address the underlying fractures before they deepen beyond repair.

Navigating the Challenges of Civic Tech in Tanzanian Politics – What does it mean for the opposition?

From a civic tech perspective, this situation highlights digital platforms’ profound influence on political dynamics in Tanzania. Civic tech has played a pivotal role in shaping public discourse, especially in elections, where it has amplified the voices of the opposition and engaged Tanzanians in unprecedented ways.

However, it also exposes vulnerabilities within parties, as internal divisions are now more visible than ever. In the past, party leaders could manage internal disputes behind closed doors, but now, civic tech ensures that every disagreement can potentially become public and viral.

This shift in communication dynamics forces political parties like CHADEMA to confront internal issues more transparently. However, it also presents an opportunity for them to adapt, recalibrate their leadership approach, and foster a more unified direction—if they are willing to do so.

Hence, while the current crisis within CHADEMA is significant, in my opinion, it is not necessarily the end of the party’s prominence in Tanzanian politics.

Of course, ACT Wazalendo has, by default, gained some mileage from all the chaos, especially because what is happening is a Deja Vu for political leaders such as Zitto Kabwe.

While it is hard to immediately know to what extent ACT Wazalendo might have benefited from CHADEMA’s political quagmire, only the 2025 general elections are a good indicator.