MWE Correspondent
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, Kenani Kihongosi, has strongly cautioned individuals he described as “foreign-financed activists” who are allegedly attempting to destabilize Tanzania.
Speaking in Mwanza a day before CCM concluded its presidential campaign rallies, Kihongosi emphasized that Tanzania’s peace and unity are a result of the ruling party’s historic leadership — not foreign influence or imported ideologies.
“There have been a few people whose interests are known only to themselves, and they know who sent them,” Kihongosi said in Kiswahili. “They are trying to create confusion in the country. Some have even appointed themselves as advisors to Tanzanians — without being asked by Tanzanians.”
He urged citizens to remain patriotic, saying:
“Tanzanians should love their country one hundred percent. This is our nation; we have no other. Don’t let anyone deceive you into destroying your own home.”
Rising Tensions Between State and Activists
Kihongosi’s remarks come amid growing friction between Tanzania’s ruling establishment and sections of civil society. Many civic groups accuse the government of restricting public discourse, while CCM leaders claim some activists are being funded to incite unrest.
In recent weeks, Media Wire Express has published a series of investigative reports exploring alleged Western interference in African politics — including “Who Decides How Societies Live?” and “Wasira Defends Samia’s Leadership Amid Online Attacks.”
However, Kihongosi dismissed accusations that Tanzania’s political climate is hostile to dissent. Instead, he argued that such critics are being manipulated within a wider geopolitical agenda.
“Those deceiving you — urging you to destroy peace or to protest — are misleading you,” he warned. “Some pretend that Tanzania is like hell, yet they live freely, calling the country unsafe while not even having a single wound on them.”
He further accused certain religious leaders of “using the pulpit to spread provocation” and exploiting faith for political purposes.
“There are people misusing religion to mislead believers. They preach incitement for their own gain. But what about our mothers and children? Where will they go if peace is broken?” he asked.
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CCM Positions Itself as Guardian of Stability
As Tanzania moves closer to the 2025 general elections, CCM is increasingly framing itself as the custodian of national unity. The party often invokes its legacy — from the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to the leadership philosophy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere — to assert that Tanzania’s stability is the product of deliberate and disciplined governance.
“Some people act as if democracy means chaos,” Kihongosi said. “They want to destroy peace and call it freedom. We say no — this country was built on unity and respect. That’s our democracy.”
He stressed that Tanzanians must guard against “imported ideologies” that do not align with the nation’s social and cultural fabric.
Concerns Over Western “Shadow Operations”
Tanzania’s ruling elite has become increasingly vocal about alleged Western involvement in local politics — often through funding NGOs, digital campaigns, and media outlets promoting governance reforms and human rights.
Observers note that while such claims are not new, they have intensified under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose government faces both domestic criticism and international scrutiny.
While some Western embassies promote “inclusive dialogue” and “protection of civic space,” CCM interprets these messages as covert attempts to reshape internal politics.
“Tanzania is safe under Mama Samia,” Kihongosi declared. “Those who wanted to taint the party and government have failed. We in CCM have kept quiet for long, but we now see lies being turned into truth.”
He also hinted at internal divisions, alleging that even some CCM members have aligned with foreign narratives that portray Tanzania as unstable.
“There are leaders, some within CCM, who you can see clearly — they have their own interests. But I tell Tanzanians — love your country. Don’t be deceived,” he warned.
Media and Civic Space in the Crossfire
Tanzania’s independent media sector has found itself caught in the ideological crossfire. Outlets such as Media Wire Express argue that foreign actors often use “soft tools” — NGOs, social media, and donor funding — to shape political narratives subtly.
A recent editorial from the outlet even questioned whether Western travel advisories and “moral prescriptions” have become a new form of sanctions — a sentiment echoed in Kihongosi’s fiery speech.
“Peace Is Sacred”
As the election season approaches, CCM’s message is increasingly assertive: that Tanzania’s peace, identity, and destiny remain under the protection of the ruling party.
“We have been quiet for too long,” Kihongosi concluded. “But now we see — step by step — lies being turned into truth. We must correct that. Tanzania’s peace is sacred, and it will not be auctioned.”
With those words, CCM’s Ideology Chief reaffirmed the party’s position as both the political and moral guardian of the nation — a stance that defines the coming political battle between sovereignty and external influenc
