The rage of the ‘Engineer or Czar’ of ‘Political Theory of CCM’ Party since the days of TANU and Ujamaa – Socialism based on the principle of responsible collectiveness, - was ‘provoked’ by the Opposition, in particular Chadema Party. Chadema had capitalised on parliamentary interventions of a young MP, Zitto Kabwe. The MP had quickly gained ‘popularity’ or support, with many Tanzanians, when he charged that a Minister had acted unethically, by signing a mining contract in London, at the Churchill Hotel, and so on. Following Standing Orders and procedures in the House, the Speaker suspended the Hon. MP, for a period of five months. Then part of the Opposition ‘sold’ Zitto Kabwe to the regions and held political rallies on this particular issue amid cries of allegations of massive corruption and misuse of leadership positions, for personal gains
The ‘Political Engineer’ had charged that the growth of Opposition parties in Tanzania was, in the main, facilitated by the ‘political tolerance of CCM to allow such parties.’ This position sent shock waves to students of Democracy and Political Theory. One can argue that on the contrary, it was rather, the changing stance of the party in leadership and vision, and the demands for change from One Party States to Multiparty democracies - that popularized other emerging parties, to which formerly, people paid little attention. For, in Africa – at least for now, Opposition parties do not win elections. Rather, incumbent Parties lose elections, through self destruction, selfishness or what Julius Nyerere rightly called, ‘ sheer drunkenness!’
Thus, at a higher political level, the new development was also brought about by the ‘revolution’ if you may, of Liberalism and multiparty politics that was sweeping across the globe and fuelled by the campaign of the ‘international community’ and the conditionalities of aid and external assistance. In this case, the arguments of the Political Czar, and the consistency of the development of this theory, are dialectically in conflict. Normally, a political party will never ‘allow’ a rival political party to take over or to develop. The development of an opposition also indicates, a slackening of the Ruling Party. In Tanzania, we have all become liberals, opened up resources including mineral reserves and collectively, Africa and countries in the Third, or Least Developed World, has become an international merchandise that is auctioned at the market place, by the G7/8, through the WB and IMF. This, in my opinion, is the continuation of the domination of the world by the victors and losers of WW11 and the political and economic occupation of developing countries by former colonial adventurers and emerging economic giants of Asia, Japan, China and to some extent, Latin America. Like in the former colonial situation, Africa remains the provider of raw material, land for foreign investment, cheap labour and a market for finished goods and services.
The focus therefore, is on this fundamental perspective, rather than narrow, conservative party politics and squabbles among political parties or indeed, political philanthropy and charity. Now the space for a more potent political competition, is expanding in Tanzania and this democratic achievement, provides the political vibrations and initiatives that we see. That, Maalim Seif of Zanzibar, the General Secretary of CUF, is now the First Vice President of Zanzibar, is an event that CCM could not stop because of its magnitude. That is what the people wanted, right or wrong. The credit here goes to the people of Zanzibar, who voted a strong ‘yes’, in favour of the referendum. This ‘accommodation and inclusion’ is an important political right and land mark, in the history of democracy in Tanzania, and Zanzibar in particular – where there are two strong parties: CCM and CUF. Tanzania mainland is a different story. There is a shifting political ground that has the ingredients of quick sand: The more you wriggle, the deeper you sink!
But the real after shock in the line of the above argument, did not come from the opposition. Unexpectedly, it came from the CCM Central Committee itself, backed up by the Chairman’s speech on the 34th Anniversary of the party when he said, it was time for CCM to change its image and enhance its economic, social and political responsibility through ‘clean and honest leadership’. It was, for lack of a better term, time to ‘shed off the aged skin, and be reborn![i] And come April 2011, that was partly done. The whole secretariat resigned, a New Party Secretary was appointed in the name of Wilson Mukama, an ‘unlikely cadre,’ who had all along been a Civil servant and indeed, a socialite, but with his ear on the CCM party camp – the Party that had, in earlier years, mentored his intellectual faculties, and ideological foundation. Yet one is tempted to ask the question: Wilson who? Not that he was not known. But his rise to that power was as swift as the closing stanza of an orchestra! That is the surprise, and perhaps, in the long run, a pleasant one.
Party members may wish to acknowledge that ‘what befell’, Wilson Mukama and indeed Nape Nnauye, was Choice rather than Fate, in the process of realigning group dynamics within the old Party - with a strong stress on the survival and continuity of the once, ‘party of the people,[ii]’ that now, had all the characteristics of a ‘Party of Leaders and powerful individuals and groups.’ If the trend is not radically reversed, CCM is likely to turn into a ‘Leaders Club’. This party cannot lose the people now, because – as we recall Nyerere’s comments, the ‘country cannot be allowed to go to the dogs.’ When Yusuf Mzee, the Zanzibar minister for Finance and Planning said[iii] that CCM was a party for Peasants and Workers’, which remark rekindled my orientation to the politics of Liberation, that Africa, and in particular Tanzania, had fought for. In the physical sense, Julius Nyerere was no more. Yet to my surprise, as was confirmed by ‘The Arusha Declaration Congregation at Nkrumah Hall - where the main speaker was none other than Professor Issa Shivji,[iv] the Nyerere Option was still a viable option. We may not go back to Arusha, because after all, ‘it is about sunset’, and a reversal is unrealistic, especially with the changing fortunes of a political economy, based on the ideology of liberalism and corruption of ‘live and let die’.
So, Nape Nnauye, ‘bounced back’[v]as Secretary for Ideology and Publicity. His father loved the piano. To many, in the party and lay life, Moses was a comrade. He led a foot-match from the Party Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, - crossed the Slander Bridge, to the Soviet Embassy when the latter was becoming a bully to ‘little’ East European countries, like Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. As committed socialists we sang songs of revolution, while Gorbachev and Milosovic were still political novices. That was Moses. Now the real focus is on his son, who has vowed to clean up the party of the scourge of Mafioso in style and manner of the narrative of the Godfather:
Just hunt them down, one after another, knowing that they too, are good hunters with tones of arsenals. We wish well, the new Secretariat of CCM with Wilson Mukama on the driver’s seat - and hope that his timing in gear shifting, will be right – in a world where Finance is the Gun and Politics, is knowing when to pull the trigger. If you hesitate, even for a second - you are as good as dead. You need an all out war in the whole CCM Infrastructure, from top to bottom. The crusade is larger than what one individual can handle or achieve. What is called for, is not overhauling the party. It is a rebirth. An abortion in this case, will be ‘too ghastly an idea, to contemplate.’
I should not be persecuted, because I see the logic and sustainability of Socialism and sharing. However, Socialism too and indeed, Communism, can be thoroughly corrupt, particularly where we idolize individuals and ‘kingdoms’, rather than a political heritage. We know what happened to Russia, Cambodia, Angola and the kapenta (small fish), of Mozambique, fished in the waters of Mozambique, packed in a floating factory and labelled: A ‘product of the USSR.’ The tinned kapenta were sold in foreign currency at a ‘Duty Free Shop’, in down town Maputo. The ordinary Mozambican kapenta eater, was obviously, segregated. His own kapenta was now a product of the then Soviet Union. That was day light thievery, regardless of the ideology in question. However, the Arusha Accord was against what is happening now – that has resulted into a rather disoriented CCM, suffering from an acute, ideological and identity crisis. If you ignore history, which will be a stupid mistake, CCM will not be dissimilar to other parties, say Chadema, UDP or indeed, NCCR – Mageuzi. Has CCM, become just another party? What is CCM, about CCM? Arithmetic and history and a way to riches – particularly when you own the government of the day. Then the party loses its fundamental role of ideological development. You could actually run the country by using a Chadema manifesto. After a Labour Manifesto in the UK, the country is being run b a blend of Liberal Democrats and Conservative Manifestoes and voters just jump into the band wagon, till the next elections. The country is, basically, still the UK. What is the fuss? CCM has to go back to peasants and workers! This is the fundamental ideological choice, even where one does not need to quote the Arusha Declaration.
When Jakaya Kikwete told the top leadership in a seminar in Dodoma (media reports 9/10/52011), that ministers were ‘married to their chairs and executive desks’ and that they hardly went out to meet the people and some had probably, lost confidence in themselves, was testimony to a worrisome situation. Were they scared of the people that elected them, or simply ‘they did not care a dime!’ They would no longer respond to criticism, even where that criticism was baseless or just a pack lies! Indeed, where are the CCM ministers? This is a painful reminder to those who worked with the CCM of Julius Nyerere when the late Mfaume Kawawa, would jump ceiling high, just to make a point in support of his party. First Party. And second, government! Not the other way round, even where to be in the government is to be in the goldmine. If everybody is a digger, who leads and tends to the needs of the people?
What now? One feels the chill of ‘Friday the 13th’, for those who follow horror movies. A strange impasse and hollowness or vacuum, where Opposition parties have spotted political and social investment: Just ‘make noise’, and by doing so, assist the people to air their views on pertinent issues. Talk about what hurts them most in their fight for a decent life. Mention the stumbling blocks and blame the party in power and promise them ‘miracles of Samunge Village and the Cup of mystery.’ You instantly, become their hero, even where they cannot spell your name, let alone your ideology. Whatever the case, Chadema has enhanced Political Communication and engagement, although some of the messages might be ‘inaccurate or indeed, alarmist.’ One hopes, we will see substantive responses to ‘these political and economic messages,’ because all the facts and figures are with respective ministries and there is a Cabinet Minister, who ideally, should be the spokesperson of the entire Government! Where is the Director General of Information, who attends Cabinet meetings? One should be created in style and structure of the British model of the CIO – Central Office of Information. This is apart from the Director of Communication in the President’s Office. The long awaited Information Policy document should recommend this change. As a spin doctor, Dr. Mutua, in Mwai Kibaki’s Office in Kenya, is doing very well, in that capacity: Sharp, eloquent and reflective; regardless of the vested interests that the messages, might be representing.
As Chadema is busy churning out political messages in the countryside, ‘the CCM Cabinet is in Dar es Salaam, constructing an intercity railway line and flyovers, and the main argument focuses on which building should be pulled down first, to give way to the supra highway.’ In the meantime, Birmingham Football club inspects the stadium and most importantly, accommodation. While all this is happening, ‘Nyamongo citizens are plucking out each other’s eyes,’ as they scramble for ‘new gold.’ There is a true internal scramble for Tanzania, in every sector.
[i] To put the record in perspective, since the departure of Julius Nyerere from the political scene, CCM has never been the same. The Second Republic President had no choice, but to accept Capitalist economic management of equal opportunity for those who can access it. The Third Republic was pragmatic, but began to bend on the weight of capitalism and bourgeois mentality. The Fourth, faced an age of protest and a stronger opposition and demands for transparency. After Nyerere, the party had lost its fundamental political strategy and steam. This was also vividly pointed out by former Secretary Generals of the same party: The late Horace Kolimba – who collapsed and later died - after he presenting his case. Later on, Phillip Mang’ula also pointed out the same, indicating that the leaders of CCM were now so corrupt that the whole party had become a ‘laughing stock.’ Fundamental change that will take the party back in track was needed. By any measure the ‘cleaning up process came rather too late and indeed with too little. What happens next, is an interesting question. When Julius Nyerere said that ‘CCM was not his mother,’ what else could one say? By the time Jakaya Kikwete took over, the fabric and backbone of CCM was in shreds! What amends can the master tailor make?
[ii] Particularly in Mono Party politics. TANU and eventually CCM, was a vanguard party. You either belonged to CCM or no where else of consequence to go. CCM was the party. But now looka like thre are other parties – literally.
[iii] Quoted from TBC news progarmme – Jambo 28/4/2011. Watch him on the bench!
[iv] 30/4/2011 at Nkurumah Hall at the Universiy of Dar es Salaam, carried live by ITV.
[v] After a spell of political limbo, particularly when he took on a powerful member of NEC and former PM, Edward Lowassa on an issue on UVCCM (CCM Youth wing), in a plot dispute - allegedly ‘given to a businessman of Asian origin,’ who seems to be mentioned in some of the high profile scandals, in the country. How could Nnauye Jr. have survived, in battle with the powerful members of CCM? He was later appointed District Commissioner before emerging as the Secretary for Ideology and Publicity of CCM. Now he can talk and move mountains! As Moses, (Nape’s father), commuted between the Party Headquarters, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, he would stop over at Bwawani – a prisons officers mess, for a little rest and play the piano he travelled with. One of those days, I bumped into him at Bwawani, in what was called the ‘VIP room’, and as we waited for our chicken, we discussed politics and the future of Tanzania. It was not what he said that mattered. It was how he said it. Fascinating stuff.
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