CCM Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel John Nchimbi, accompanied by Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda, launched the Tarime Group of 200 entrepreneurial members in Makuyuni, Monduli District, Arusha Region on June 3, 2024. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a sharp turn of events that has stirred Tanzania’s political landscape, Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda unleashed a pointed critique aimed at certain Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leaders, accusing them of praising opposition leader Freeman Mbowe while conveniently ignoring their allegiance to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking at a national prophets’ gathering on September 21, 2024, Makonda’s fiery comments appeared to take a veiled swipe at CCM Secretary General Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, reigniting long-standing tensions within the ruling party.
“You wonder—God? I was appointed by Samia to serve as Regional Commissioner, but all day, I’m praising Mbowe. Do I want to lose my job? Who is my boss? Do you even know where you stand?” Makonda thundered at the gathering led by Apostle Boniface Mwamposa. His remarks struck a chord, hinting at deepening divides in CCM and raising questions about loyalty within the party’s leadership.
Makonda’s broadside came just a week after Nchimbi, in an unprecedented statement, condemned rising cases of kidnappings and violence—particularly the brutal murder of Chadema official Ali Kibao. Kibao, a member of Chadema’s secretariat, was abducted on September 6, 2024, in Dar es Salaam and later found dead, his body reportedly disfigured with acid.
Nchimbi’s condemnation and calls for unity among political parties were seen by some as extending an olive branch to Chadema, sparking murmurs of dissent among hardliners within CCM.
However, Makonda’s criticism did not stop at internal party gripes. He used the stage to call out leaders donning a “religious mantle” but failing to live up to spiritual or political standards. “Any leader who does not carry a calling from God, I will remove spiritually in the name of Jesus,” he warned.
His comments against leaders donning a “religious mantle” resonated amidst growing concerns as the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) condemned the recent surge in abductions and killings across the country. They called on state authorities to take decisive action to restore Tanzania’s reputation for peace and stability.
This urgent plea was made during the closing ceremony of the Fifth Eucharistic Congress of the Catholic Church, held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam. TEC Vice President Bishop Eusebius Alfred Nzigilwa, who is also the Bishop of the Diocese of Mpanda, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence.
The congress's theme, "Fraternity Heals the World, We Are All Brothers," underscored the church's commitment to unity and peace, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to combat the rising tide of violence. Bishop Nzigilwa's statements resonated widely as he urged for a collective response to restore safety and uphold the values that define Tanzanian society.
While Makonda’s comments have drawn significant attention, they also come in the context of long-simmering political disputes. In March 2024, Nchimbi publicly reprimanded Makonda for his authoritarian methods, accusing him of undermining CCM’s institutional authority.
This criticism was echoed by Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe, who dismissed Makonda’s attempts to intervene in the country’s sugar crisis, pointedly remarking that he only answered to the President, Vice President, and their deputies—not to Makonda.
In a twist that left many political analysts speculating, President Samia Suluhu Hassan unexpectedly praised Makonda during a cabinet reshuffle earlier this year, commending his leadership style. Some viewed her endorsement as a strategic move to consolidate support among voters who favor Makonda’s populist, no-nonsense tactics.
Others, however, expressed concern that aligning with such a controversial figure could further damage the party’s image, already bruised by accusations of human rights violations under the stewardship of the late President John Magufuli, with whom Makonda is closely associated.
Makonda’s tenure as Regional Commissioner of Arusha has been nothing short of polarizing. In July 2023, the Human Rights and Good Governance Commission (THBUB) found him guilty of gross abuse of power.
The commission ruled that Makonda had unlawfully ordered the arrest and detention of a civilian for 96 hours without charge, a stark violation of legal protocols. Despite being summoned to defend himself, Makonda refused to appear before the commission, underscoring what critics have described as his blatant disregard for accountability.
This backdrop has led to widespread speculation about Makonda’s political future, particularly as Tanzania gears up for local elections later this year and the 2025 general elections. His confrontational leadership style and deep-rooted ties to Magufuli’s hardline legacy have left the nation divided on whether his methods will resonate with voters or alienate key demographics.
Political analysts based in Shinyanga, Paul Masalu and Paschal Makonda, believe Makonda’s continued focus on loyalty to President Samia and his critique of CCM members is a calculated attempt to solidify his position within the party. “He’s drawing a clear line between himself and those he views as wavering in their loyalty. It’s classic Makonda—aggressive, unapologetic, and deeply polarizing,” Masalu remarked.
Meanwhile, historian and political analyst Mussa Lugete from Dar es Salaam notes that Makonda’s rhetoric could serve to rally the party’s grassroots supporters, particularly those who still admire Magufuli’s uncompromising approach to governance. However, Lugete cautioned that Makonda’s volatile nature could backfire. “There’s a real risk that by attacking fellow CCM members and flirting with populism, Makonda could alienate key power brokers within the party,” he said.
In a broader context, Makonda took a swipe at fellow CCM members, accusing them of tarnishing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s image by allegedly collaborating with U.S.-based activist Mange Kimambi, known for relentlessly insulting the Tanzanian head of state.
During the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the late Prime Minister Edward Sokoine, held in Monduli Juu, Arusha, Makonda accused specific individuals of orchestrating social media attacks against the President.
Makonda claimed to know the perpetrators, some of whom held high-ranking government positions and warned them to cease their actions or face public exposure. "You, my brothers who were sending people to provoke my mother, President Samia, you knew who you were, and I knew who you were. The President knew their names, and I knew their names too. Today, on April 12, 2024, I wanted this to be the end of these games. If they continued with these attacks by Monday, I would name them—some were even ministers, others were being empowered by people we once respected. Let this be the last warning; we must let President Samia do her job," Makonda declared.
His remarks came amid growing tensions within CCM, with rumors of internal divisions and efforts to undermine President Samia's leadership. Makonda's bold stance escalated political scrutiny, particularly as he threatened to reveal the names of those allegedly behind the online campaigns.
The accusations prompted a party caucus where Makonda was summoned to provide evidence. However, the outcome of the meeting was never made public, fueling further intrigue and speculation about the involvement of high-profile figures in the internal conflict.
The political clock is ticking toward Tanzania's crucial elections, and all eyes are on Makonda. His confrontational style may either galvanize support or deepen the growing fissures within CCM. One thing remains certain: his every move will be closely scrutinized, both by those who view him as a rising star and those who see him as a potential liability.