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SWAHILI TODAY

Chadema

Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) is one of Tanzania’s leading opposition political parties. Founded in 1992, the party advocates democratic reforms, transparency, anti-corruption measures, and political accountability. CHADEMA has become a major force in Tanzanian opposition politics.

Quick facts about Chadema

  1. Translating from Swahili to "Party for Democracy and Progress," it was founded on May 28, 1992, by former Minister of Finance Edwin Mtei following Tanzania’s constitutional shift to multi-party politics. Its platform promotes centre-right conservatism, economic decentralization, and federalism.
  2. Ahead of the 2015 general election, CHADEMA nominated former CCM Prime Minister Edward Lowassa as its presidential candidate, just years after placing him on their official list of corrupt politicians during the Richmond power scandal. Lowassa secured a historic 39.9% of the popular vote, the strongest opposition showing in Tanzanian history.
  3. In September 2017, CHADEMA's chief legal counsel and MP Tundu Lissu survived an assassination attempt outside his Dodoma residence after being shot 16 times by unidentified gunmen; no suspects were ever arrested or charged by state authorities.
  4. Party Chairman Freeman Mbowe and three co-defendants were arrested in July 2021 in Mwanza ahead of a planned constitutional reform conference and charged with terrorism financing and conspiracy; the prosecution dropped all charges after nearly eight months of international outcry and trial proceedings.
  5. In April 2025, Tanzania's National Electoral Commission disqualified CHADEMA from competing in the 2025 general election after the party refused to sign an electoral code of conduct document, days after Tundu Lissu was arrested on treason charges.

News about Chadema

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