UDA in talks with Suluhu's Chama Cha Mapinduzi to strengthen party ties

Tanzania's ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has opened talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aimed at deepening cooperation between the two parties.

CCM Secretary General Emmanuel Nchimbi held talks on Wednesday with his UDA counterpart Hassan Omar Hassan in Nairobi.

The meeting was held at Hustler Plaza, Nairobi.

According to a statement, discussions between the two leaders centred on strengthening party-to-party relations.

"The talks focused on modalities of bolstering relations between the CCM and UDA Party for the benefit of the people of the two friendly and neighbouring countries," reads a statement from the party.

CCM, which has been in power in Tanzania for decades, has successfully built strong grassroots-driven political structures and mobilisation strategies.

It is also the second-longest-ruling party in the history of Africa, only after the True Whig Party of Liberia.

It was formed in 1977, following the merger of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), which were the sole operating parties in mainland Tanzania and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar, respectively.

Its current chairperson is President Samia Suluhu.

UDA is keen to study the model and adapt it as it seeks to rebuild it.

"These are the models that UDA aims to emulate going forward," said Omar.

UDA expressed interest in learning from CCM’s experience in party organisation, longevity, and community engagement.

Nchimbi was accompanied by Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Bernard Yohana Kibesse.

Also present during the meeting were senior officials from the UDA, led by lawyer Adrian Kamotho.

The move by UDA comes at a time when it is preparing to embark on its grassroots elections, a key part of its long-term political strategy for the 2027 general election.

The first phase of the elections was held in April 2024 across various counties.

UDA has also previously hosted a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CCP).

This is part of its broader efforts to benchmark with established political parties globally and adopt best practices in party management and mobilisation.