MWE Correspondent
In a notable realignment within Tanzania’s political scene, three high-profile former Chadema leaders — Salum Mwalimu, Benson Kigaila, and Devotha Minja — were formally received into the Party for People’s Liberation (Chaumma) today. Their entry marks a bold shift in the opposition landscape, with all three assuming senior leadership positions effective immediately.
The trio were welcomed during a National Executive Council meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and commercial capital. They were officially sworn in during the session, a move that had been widely speculated in recent weeks following their resignations from Chadema, which they blamed on internal frustrations and political stagnation.
Former Chadema Deputy Secretary-General for Zanzibar, Mr. Salum Mwalimu, was named Chaumma’s new Secretary-General, taking over from Mohammed Masoud Rashid, who voluntarily stepped down earlier in the day.
Mr. Benson Kigaila, who previously served as Deputy Secretary-General for Mainland, now assumes the role of Vice Chairman (Mainland). He replaces Kayungo Mohammed, who also resigned alongside Rashid in what Chaumma leaders described as a “planned leadership transition.”
Devotha Minja, formerly the Central Zone Chairperson of Chadema, has now been appointed Deputy Secretary-General (Mainland), stepping into a role vacated by Rahman Rungwe.
In a strategic twist, Mohammed Masoud Rashid, who had resigned from the post of Secretary-General just hours earlier, was reappointed as Deputy Secretary-General for Zanzibar — a move seen by analysts as internal restructuring rather than a full exit.
All three new Chaumma leaders had previously been key voices in Chadema, Tanzania’s largest opposition party. However, their departures reflect broader concerns over what they describe as growing intolerance to differing opinions within the party, poor strategic planning, and diminishing influence at the grassroots level.
Also Read; China Cautions UK Over New US Trade Deal
Mr. Mwalimu’s exit had been widely predicted after Chadema’s internal elections in January 2025, which he described as “non-inclusive” and “detached from the political mood on the ground.”
Mr. Kigaila, on the other hand, has been vocal in criticizing Chadema’s strategy of boycotting elections and its failure to open up channels for national dialogue on governance and reform.
The move comes as Tanzania prepares for its 2025 general elections, with political parties repositioning themselves to gain public trust and electoral strength. Chaumma, though historically a smaller party, appears to be capitalizing on these political shifts by recruiting seasoned leaders and strengthening its organizational capacity.
This high-level reshuffle is expected to boost Chaumma’s visibility and legitimacy, especially as it prepares to challenge the dominance of both ruling and opposition parties. Political observers suggest the inclusion of seasoned operatives like Mwalimu, Kigaila, and Minja could energize the party’s support base and widen its appeal beyond traditional strongholds.
