Speaking during a press conference at ACT-Wazalendo headquarters on Thursday, January 16, 2025, the party leader outlined several critical issues driving her decision to seek the highest office including declining economic growth, the rising cost of living, youth unemployment, and alleged mismanagement of the country's natural resources.
'Tanzania needs new leadership that will protect national interests, foster a strong economy, promote equal opportunities, and ensure transparent governance,' Semu stated.
Semu claimed that Tanzania's economic downturn was a key concern, citing the World Bank's 2024 report, which recorded a decline in growth from 6.8% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2023. She attributed the slowdown to unstable investment policies and the ineffective implementation of development projects.
She also emphasized the impact of inflation, which stood at 3.1% in December 2024 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and lamented over what she termed as the country's failure to invest in job-creating sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
Semu has over a decade of political experience and previously served in public administration for 17 years.
In 2022, she was appointed Prime Minister of the party's shadow cabinet, which was created to ensure accountability within the government.
She expressed confidence in her readiness to lead Tanzania, saying 'I am not entering this race to lose.'
'I have been groomed for this role, and my party is equipped with the vision and strategies needed to build a prosperous Tanzania,' she stated.
Semu also expressed openness to collaborating with other opposition parties to challenge CCM, which has been in power for nearly five decades since its formation in 1977.
'We are ready to work with serious opposition parties, but first, we must ensure our own house is in order,' she said.
Semu's announcement follows ACT-Wazalendo's recent call for party members to declare their candidacy for the upcoming polls, as well as a similar declaration by party chairperson Othman Masoud Othman, who seeks to run for Zanzibar's presidency.
If nominated by ACT-Wazalendo, Semu will face President Suluhu, who is expected to seek re-election under CCM.
President Suluhu ascended to the presidency in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.
The late Magufuli had secured a second term in the October 2020 presidential election with a landslide victory, garnering over 84% of the vote. His main opponent, Tundu Lissu of Chadema party, received just 13% of the vote.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
