Acceptance Speech by the New Chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, at the Extra-Ordinary Party Congress, Chimwaga, Dodoma 22 June 1996.

The Outgoing Chairman, H.E. Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, Father of the Nation. H.EE. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, The Outgoing Chairman of CCM, The Vice-Chairmen of CCM, Hon. Dr. J.S. Malecela and Hon. Dr. Salmin Amour, The CCM Secretary-General, Hon. Dr. Lawrence Gama, Members of the Central Committee, Members of the National Executive Committee, Delegates of the Party Congress, Invited Founding Members, Honourable Leaders of Oppostion Parties, Invited Guests, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

This is indeed a historic day for me and for Chama Cha Mapinduzi. For, today our party marks the beginning of the Third Phase of its top leadership; and I feel greatly honoured to be entrusted with this heavy responsibility of being the third CCM Chairman. I accept this honour fully aware of the challenges and responsibilities it entails, as well as the tremendous expectations of our members and leaders following the change of the topmost leadership.

I should, however, like to express my deepest gratitude to the expression of great trust and confidence that our Party has shown in me. It was in this very hall in August last year that you demonstrated this confidence in me by electing me to become the CCM candidate for the Presidency. Thereafter, you stood firmly by my side in the campaign and ensured that I and the CCM Parliamentary Candidates won the elections. I met most of you as I was criss-crossing the country during the campaign. You were a great help to me and to our Party. After my election I also received your letters and messages of congratulations expressing your high expectations for the future. I thank you very much.

Once more you have today reaffirmed your confidence in me by electing me the new National Chairman of our Party and, thereby, combining the position of President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi. The merits of merging the two positions are clear and obvious. That is why you accepted the request of the outgoing Chairman, our beloved and respected Alhaji Ali Hassan Mwinyi, to retire before the end of his constitutional term of office so as to facilitate the merging of these two positions.

In this respect I would like to extend a special word of thanks and congratulations to our outgoing Chairman. Stupid rumour mongers spread lies that His Excellency Ali Hassan Mwinyi was forced to step down in my favour. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. You will recall that it was right here at Chimwaga during the last Congress, after you elected me as Presidential Candidate, when the outgoing Chairman took all of us by surprise by announcing his intention to take an early retirement in my favour. He specifically asked the Party Congress to delegate its powers to the National Executive Committee to receive, deliberate and approve his request in order to make it possible for the two positions to be merged. None of us knew in advance of this request; and nobody influenced him to do so.

As you all know, he took that decision on his own free will and out of his great love for the Party and the CCM Government. He wanted me to have a free hand to lead the CCM Government while simultaneously strengthening the party. We all need to thank him for that.

Moreover, I would like to congratulate Mr. Mwinyi for peacefully heading our country and our Party during the difficult transitional phase of initiating and establishing the foundations of reforms, in the Party and the Government as well as political and socio-economic reforms. I am aware that transitional periods are fraught with criticisms. By their nature, human beings resist change and feel comfortable with the status quo. We in the Party are no exception. However, Mr. Mwinyi withstood it all and presided over the necessary reforms in peace and tranquillity until this day.

Mr. Mwinyi, we thank you. As you retire, rest assured that your contribution to the Party and Nation will remain honoured forever. We will sustain the reforms that you started; improve where necessary; strengthen and accelerate them wherever desirable and possible. My only request is that you should allow us to continue drawing on your abundant wisdom and experience as the need arises.

I would also like to express my special thanks to Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere who is not only the Father of the Nation, but also the Founding Leader of CCM. Mwalimu has alway been the strong pillar of the Party; always readily available to assist and strenghten the Party whenever needed. His ideas were inspirational in initiating political reforms; such as when we started the debate on the need to establish multiparty politics; as well as other reforms in the Party. I need not over-emphasise Mwalimu's contribution and love for the Party for we all know it very well. Thank you Mwalimu.

Honourable Delegates, My expressions of gratitutde will not be complete if I do not mention the two Vice Chairmen of the Party, Honourable Dr. John Samuel Malecela and Honourable Dr. Salim Amour. They were of great assistance to the Chairman, without which his work would have been unbearable.

Honourable Delegates, as you bestow upon me the Chairmanship of our Party, I cannot but look back with the fondest of memories over the glorious history of our Party and its predecessors, TANU and ASP. In particular, I remember the Founding Leaders of these Parties who, by their example, set for us exceptional yardsticks of integrity and love for the Party during those difficult formative years of TANU and ASP. It is thanks to them that CCM, has continuously been entrusted with the leadership of our country under the single party; and later on under a multiparty system. If it had not been for their good work, I would not have been President of the country of Chairman of CCM. Indeed, the Party may not even have been in power today.

Besides Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere and Mr. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, there are other illustrious names in the history of our Party. These include Mr. Rashid Mfaume Kawawa, the late Abeid Aman Karume, the late Thabit Kombo, the late Rajab Diwani, etc. They all set for us outstanding examples of excellency and leadership, love for their country, the people and their Party. I believe if we had correctly followed their footsteps we would not be facing most of the problems of running the Party. Indeed if we had maintained their type of determination to defend Party Policies CCM would not be accused of losing direction. If we had the same level of integrity no one would have dared to accuse any one of us of corruption, embezzlement, hypocrisy and so on. Article 5(4) of the Party Constitution stipulates the need to remember and maintain the ideals of our formative leaders. But above all, I urge you to remember and sustain their integrity, their love for the Party, voluntarism, and to work for the interest of the Party rather than personal gains.

Honourable Delegates I am saying so because it is in the human nature to cherish certain expectations during the time of transition in leadership. There are private expectations and there are the expectations of the Party, its members and the Nation as a whole. Today, as I take over the leadership of the Party, I am not sure to what extent I will satisfy the private expectations of the members and leaders. What I can promise you today is that I will do the best I can to satisfy the expectations of the Party and the Nation.

For it is possible for private expectations to be in consonance with those of the Nation or of the Party. In that case there will be no problem because both would be satisfied simultaneously.

However, when private expectations are different from those of the Party or of the Nation, a leader has to choose between satisfying private interests or those of the Party and the Nation. I promise you that I will give priority to the interests of the Party and those of the Nation.

I cannot pretend to know all the private interests; but you and I know very well the expectations of the Party because they are articulated in the 1995 CCM Election Manifesto. Nine out of the ten chapters of the Election Manifesto mostly dwell on the direction of the CCM government for the next five years. In my Inaugural Speech to Parliament on 30 November 1995 I articulated strategies for implementing the Election Manifesto. Moreover, I asked each Minister to prepare an implementation programme of that section of the Manifesto covering the sectors under his or her Ministry. Their budget statements during the on going session of Parliament will indicate clearly priorities and directions in that regard.

Chapter ten of the Election Manifesto concerns the Party itself. In so far as the first nine chapters will guide the CCM Government, the tenth chapter will guide Chama Cha Mapinduzi in the next five years. It is this same Manifesto that formed the basis of my country-wide election campaign. And the people that put CCM in power after being satisfied with this election Manifesto. This Manifesto, therefore, provides the vision for running the Party and Government.

We have to accept, in this connection, that the same yardsticks for effectiveness, efficiency and integrity in Government must be the same yardsticks to measure effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity in the Party. What is good for the CCM Government is equally good for CCM itself. We cannot have stringent operational yardsticks for the CCM Government and less stringent ones for the Party. If better supervision and management of the budget, revenue and expenditure are good for the Government, they should be equally good for the Party. If self-reliance is a good and necessary goal for the Government it should definitely be equally good and necessary for CCM.

Honourable Delegates, The first part of Chapter Ten of the 1995 Election Manifesto, outlines the heritage and glorious history of Chama Cha Mapinduzi. And this is not empty self-glorification on our part as some opposition would like us to appear. Indeed, there are opposition Parties that, should they come to power, would strive to reverse the great successes that characterise the history of CCM. The Manifesto illustrates the efforts of CCM and its predecessors in ensuring national unity, peace and tranquillity, by formulating and implementing policies geared towards unity, love, solidarity, equality, dignity, and mutual trust among our people. Those policies include Socialism and Self-Reliance; fight against tribalism, religious bigotry, discrimination of all kinds, decolonisation, respect for the rule of law, neighbourly relations, and so on. Never shall we allow this heritage and this priceless jewel in the history of our Nation to be ridiculed, discredited or to be obliterated. It is for this reason that CCM must ensure it remains in power to safeguard these gains for the benefit of the Nation and our people.

This will, however, be possible only if we sustain the moral fabric and integrity of the CCM leadership. My mere election to the CCM Chairmanship is not a panacea. The Manifesto states:

"The issue of leadership is crucial because the country cannot be led by one person. There has to be a team of leaders with a high level of capacity and vision."

The CCM Election Manifesto has likewise given great importance to the need of strengthening the Party. When I was officially opening the CCM Youth Wing General Council in Morogoro on 16 June 1996, I reminded our youth that although the Nyalali Commission showed that 80% of our people wanted to continue with the single party system, 56% of them wanted CCM to cleanse and strengthen itself. It would not be wise to reach the year 2000 with our members still unsatisfied with the integrity of CCM. For there are many in the opposition camp who are keen to woo them to their side. We must avoid protest votes.

It must be for this reason that the Election Manifesto states as follows: "In order for CCM to continue to be the Party supported by the majority of our people a number of concrete steps have to be taken to strengthen it."

As the new Chairman, I have no intention to preside over a party that will lose the coming Local Government Elections, Parliamentary bye-elections or the General Elections, I intend to implement this promise which is in our Manifesto.

In view of the glorious history of CCM, TANU and ASP it is inconceivable that today CCM should be found wanting on integrity and faithfulness of its leaders. However, it is alleged that there have been symptoms of these problems in recent years, and especially during the elections.

Where will we derive the moral courage and authority to reprimand Government leaders who use their positions for self-enrichment or favouritism, if we become equally guilty of the same? Or what right will we have to demand the sacking or prosecution of corrupt Government leaders, if leaders in our Party will also be guilty of these vices contrary to the Party Leadership Code contained in Article 18 of the Party Constitution? The Manifesto states:

"During the next five years CCM will strenuously supervise the implementation of Article 18 of the Constitution on the Code of Leadership in order to enhance people's confidence in the Party..."

As Chairman and President elected on this Manifesto platform, I will discharge my responsibilites based on your expectations that we should diligently implement this promise of the Party. The dignity and honour of the Party demand that we do so whole-heartedly, with fairness, dignity, and due respect.

Another area raised in the Manifesto is the issue of democracy and discipline in the Party. On these two we have learnt a lot during the elections. Democracy was greatly enhanced by increasing competition in the electoral process. That was an important step that we have to sustain. However, left on its own, this is not enough for it is possible for undeserving people to be elected. It is in this connection that we must strive to improve our system giving due regard to Article 18 of the Party Constitution. There are also allegations of lack of discipline and even hypocrisy and mercenarism.

I am sure honourable delegates recall what happened during the local government elections and general elections; whether these accusations are true or false. Be it as it may it is not wise to ignore the allegations. Let us look into them. Moreover, some of our colleagues thought that leadership was their birthright; and if they could not get it through CCM, they would try to get it through any other party willing to accept them. Protecting such people will not help strengthen our Party. The Election Manifesto states:

"During the next five years, CCM will ensure that democracy in the Party will be strengthened and enhanced with due regard to justice and equality of all members. At the same time it will supervise the implementation of responsibilities and discipline of its members. This is the only way to build democracy and solidarity..."

Honourable delegates, our election manifesto also requires us to have proper balance of leadership between age groups and gender as well as various social groups. For unlike other parties CCM is a party for the entire society. Nonetheless, as the years go by, the proportional representation of various age groups changes. Today's youth are tomorrow's elders, and today's elders are yesterday's youth. Neither is it true that every young person is revolutionary, nor that every elderly person is counter-revolutionary. It is therefore necessary to constantly review and adjust this proportional representation as the days go by.

During my tenure of office as Chairman, I will strive to the best of my ability to ensure and sustain a proper balance in the structure of leadership which recognises the rights and responsibilities of the youth and the elderly, men and women; peasant and workers, businessmen and self-emplyed people; people in academia, professionals; etc.

Our party needs to benefit from the ideas and views of all ages and groups in our society. The objective is to collaborate in providing leadership and strengthening our Party and developing our Nation. The objective is not to creat e tension or conflict between various age groups, different gender or different groups. In the unfortunate event that conflicts arise, we should resolve them in a brotherly manner within the Party. Never should conflicts be used for purposes of self advancement or undermining others.

Each group stands to gain from the contribution of the other. The youth stand to gain from the wisdom and experience of the elders, while the elders can benefit from new ideas and drive from the youth. We are all dependent on each other and we need to love each other and cooperate for the benefit of the Party. Above all leadership of the Party cannot be derived from the basis of the age group to which a member belongs. Leadership must depend on other criteria as well. The election manifesto states that:

"...The criteria to be used in the choice of leaders are ability, integrity, and acceptability."

We should not accept these stipulated criteria in filling leadership positions in Chama Cha Mapinduzi.

Honourable Delegates,

Voluntary leadership has also been mentioned as one of the measures to be taken in order to strengthen the Party in the next five years. The manifesto recognises that many political parties the world over are run on a voluntary basis out of the love which the leaders and members have on the Party. CCM cannot afford to have a different stance on this matter because we do not have the financial muscle to service adequately the existing extensive Party network. We cannot avoid the necessity to reduce remunerative positions, to control expenditure and to increase the spirit of voluntarism. The election manifesto states:

"During the next five years, CCM will ensure that the spirit of voluntarism is accepted, strengthened, and widely applied in the Party".

My task as Party Chairman is to ensure that this commitment is accepted and implemented as recommended.

Honourable Delegates, We can say categorically and with confidence that CCM is the Party of the Union. Our Structure, the composition of our leadership and our policies clearly show that we are the believers and implementers of the two government structure of the Union.

The manifesto says:

"During the next five years CCM will continue to enhance the Union under a two government structure."

It is for this reason, therefore, that CCM has to continue defending and strengthening our Union because obviously no other party has similar intentions.

Honourable Delegates,

Article 5 (18) and (19) of the party constitution states the following regarding the goals and objectives of our Party:

"(18) To strengthen good relations with other political parties in foreign countries with similar political ideologies which truly fight colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism and all forms of discriminiation.

(19) To co-operate with other political parties in Africa for the purpose of enhancing African Unity and to see to it that the government continues to strengthen good neighbourly relations".

These are indeed noble objectives. And we all recall the extent to which CCM and its predecessors, TANU and ASP, as well as their youth wings, maintained close relations and cooperation with other political parties within and outside the African continent. With respect to the African continent our parties established for themselves a name and respect as genuine parties of liberation; fighting for independence, justice, dignity and equality of all human beings. We established close relations, friendship and brotherhood with liberation movements such as FRELIMO, ANC, SWAPO, MPLA, ZANU-PF, etc. All these parties are now in power in their respective countries but there is a danger of our friendship being construed as having been alliances for politicial liberation only. CCM must now, therefore, increase its capacity to once more revive the relations and co-operation with these parties as a matter of extreme urgency and necessity. This co-operation is not a matter of historical record only but also a necessity in today's world of increasing globalism and South-South co-operation.

Honourable Delegates,

Before I conclude my speech, I would like to recognise our colleague Brigadier General (retired) Moses Nnauye who has also voluntarily decided to retire from his leadership positions in the Party. It is difficult to find appropriate words to describe his big contribution to the Party and the nation since before independence until this day. Fortunately, there is not anyone among us who does not know Brigadier General (Rtd) Nnauye and the work he has done over the years. I do not know if there is any important Party decision made for over thirty years in which he had no contribution.

On my behalf, as well as on your behalf, I wish to congratulate Brigadier General (Rtd) Nnauye for his long and illustrious service imbued with integrity and diligence. I thank him very much and I wish him a good retirement.

Finally, I wish to reiterate my gratitude to you all for the trust and confidence you have shown me by electing me the third Chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi. On my part I will strive to the best of my ability to meet your expectations in electing me and those expectations articulated in the 1995 CCM Election Manifesto.

Above all we should not fear to undertake reforms in the Party. Our party and its predecessors TANU and ASP have been excellent examples of introspection and reform whenever necessary. No other party has that experience.

The history of our party is full of landmark-dates on which far reaching reforms were implemented with good intentions, mutual trust and love, confident in the knowledge that it was all in the interest of the Party and the Nation.

This is a good time for us to repeat this exercise so as to merit the increased trust and confidence of our members and the people thereby guaranteeing us victory in the next elections.

Thank you for your kind attention.

God Bless Africa, God Bless Tanzania.

LONG LIVE CHAMA CHA MAPINDIZI!!!