Tanzania: Samia Suluhu Hassan, presidential candidate for 2025, between continuity and political challenge.

After months of speculation, the big moment has finally arrived: Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania, has been nominated as her party’s candidate for the 2025 general elections. While some applaud the move as a sign of continuity and stability, others see it as a political maneuver orchestrated to consolidate power within the Tanzanian Revolutionary Party (CCM). In a country where the political landscape is as fluid as a muddy football pitch, Suluhu’s nomination raises more questions than it answers.

The strategic choice of an heir

In choosing Samia Suluhu as its candidate, the CCM appears to be protecting its legacy. After the death of former Tanzanian president John Magufuli, Suluhu’s transition to the presidency was like an arranged marriage: convenient for some, uncomfortable for others. Suluhu, a leading woman in a man’s world, is seen by some as a breath of fresh air, but others question whether her rise is truly merit or simply a political bluff.

A mixed assessment

Since coming to power, Samia Suluhu has shown a certain audacity in public policy, but her decisions are not without criticism. While she promised to modernize the country and bring about positive change, the reality on the ground is often very different. Between broken promises and bureaucratic obstacles, citizens are wondering: will the candidate of 2025 be able to distance herself from previous legacies?

The challenges of a female presidency

Being a woman president in Tanzania can be a challenging journey in an environment where machismo is the norm. While she can capitalize on her status as the first female president, the road ahead is fraught with challenges: societal expectations, political pressures, and economic challenges. Will the Tanzanian people be willing to give her a vote of confidence? Or will growing political sectarianism work against her? In an Africa where change often means upheaval, Suluhu’s presidency could well redraw the contours of Tanzanian democracy.