By Lilian Kasenene, Morogoro
In a significant political move that signals growing discontent within Tanzania's opposition ranks, Devotha Minja, former Chairperson of CHADEMA’s Central Zone and a member of the party’s National Executive Committee has resigned from all her positions, party membership, and led over 200 members in a mass exodus from the party in Morogoro Municipality.
Minja, who also chaired the women’s wing (Bawacha) for Morogoro Region and previously served as a Special Seats Member of Parliament, announced her departure at a press briefing, stating she had taken time to reflect deeply before making what she called a difficult but necessary decision.
“The main objective of any political party is to ascend to power. Today, CHADEMA has chosen to boycott elections based on the decisions of a few individuals. How then do we expect to take power if we refuse to participate in elections?” Minja questioned, adding, “Those of us leaving are seeking a new avenue to continue the struggle. We cannot allow our vision for helping citizens to die.”
She clarified that although she was leaving CHADEMA, she was not joining the ruling party, CCM.
Instead, she intends to study the constitutions of various parties before deciding where to take her political mission next.
Minja’s resignation points to deeper rifts within CHADEMA.
She accused top leaders of making unilateral decisions, especially regarding the controversial boycott of recent by-elections, without proper consultation with party organs such as the National Executive Committee (NEC), of which she was a member.
“As a journalist by profession, I ask questions. But within CHADEMA, questioning leadership decisions labels you as part of the ‘Mbowe team.’ To confirm this, CHADEMA leaders deliberately avoided visiting the Central Zone because I supported Mbowe,” she alleged.
Minja also decried a growing culture of insults, falsehoods, and internal hostility within the party, claiming that the current leadership lacks a clear and realistic strategy to challenge CCM’s grip on power.
“Before joining politics, I was committed to justice and believed CHADEMA could offer a platform to empower the people. Today, that vision is no longer viable under the current party leadership,” she emphasized.
During her time in Parliament, Minja says she actively advocated for clean water access, supported youth entrepreneurship initiatives, and lobbied for the construction of a district hospital in Morogoro.
She also raised concerns over financial mismanagement and favoritism in infrastructure projects.
Minja now pledges to continue the political struggle under a new banner, rallying behind the slogan: “The fight continues; we do not lay down our arms until change is realized.”
Minja was not alone in her departure. Charles Kahumbe, Secretary of the party’s elders' council (Bazecha) in Morogoro Region, and Jumanne Mpesa, Secretary of the youth wing (Bavicha) in Mbuyuni Ward, also announced their resignations.
“I’ve fought for this party with everything I have, but I can no longer stay in a party that has lost its focus on taking power. We are told to block elections—how can we, when we’re the ones boycotting them?” Kahumbe posed.
Mpesa, representing the youth front, criticized the party's recent messaging and strategy, saying he could not support any direction that would potentially encourage chaos or election disruption.
“I’m not willing to mobilize youth for unrest just because our leaders have chosen the path of non-participation,” he stated.
With Minja’s exit, the number of senior CHADEMA leaders who have left the party in Morogoro Region now totals 14, alongside more than 300 rank-and-file members, raising concerns about the stability and cohesion of one of Tanzania’s major opposition forces.
The resignations come at a time when CHADEMA faces mounting internal and external challenges.
The party’s leadership, under Freeman Mbowe, has been pushing for electoral reforms and has taken a hardline stance on what it calls “unfair election conditions” under the current political system.
However, critics within and outside the party argue that the boycott strategy may be self-defeating, potentially alienating supporters and ceding ground to CCM.
Minja’s departure may embolden other dissatisfied members to follow suit, raising questions about whether CHADEMA can maintain unity as it navigates the road to the 2025 general elections.
Her emphasis on strategic participation versus symbolic protest could resonate with members who are concerned about electoral relevance and practical engagement.
As Tanzania’s political climate continues to shift, the country’s opposition parties may need to reassess both their internal governance and public strategy. For now, Devotha Minja has drawn a line—and others may soon follow.