Tanzania’s CCM to launch presidential campaigns

Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, is set to officially launch presidential campaigns for its candidate Dr John Pombe Magufuli.

Dr Magufuli successfully clinched CCM’s nominations after flooring over ten other candidates in the five rounds of nominations and was subsequently endorsed by outgoing President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

Dr Magufuli will battle it out with eight other candidates, among them Chadema’s Edward Lowassa, who is a former prime minister under Kikwete’s regime and resigned in the year 2008 following corruption allegations.

This year’s presidential elections are seen as the most competitive in Tanzania’s political history.

The presidential poll is also seen as Tanzania’s multi-party democracy litmus test.