President Suluhu challenges youths on election participation

President Samia Suluhu has challenged the youthful population to take up an active role in the political affairs of the country.

Elections are due in October 2025 in the East African nation and the president has urged the budding masses to take advantage of their constitutional right.

In her entreaty, Suluhu has not only challenged the youths to register to vote but also to contest for different electoral positions.

Huu ni ushauri mzuri hasa wakati huu kuelekea Uchaguzi Mkuu. Sehemu ya wajibu wa vijana wetu ni kushiriki mchakato wa Uchaguzi, ikiwemo kugombea nafasi za uongozi na kutumikia ipasavyo wanapopata nafasi. Hakika ya Uhuru wetu na ulinzi wa Mapinduzi yetu ni vijana wenye uthubutu.” Suluhu’s response to an online engagement read.

Run for office

“This is good advice especially leading up to the general election. Part of the responsibility of our youth is to participate in the election process, including running for leadership positions and serving properly when they get a chance. The surety of our freedom and the protection of our revolution are young people with determination.”

Huu ni ushauri mzuri hasa wakati huu kuelekea Uchaguzi Mkuu. Sehemu ya wajibu wa vijana wetu ni kushiriki mchakato wa Uchaguzi, ikiwemo kugombea nafasi za uongozi na kutumikia ipasavyo wanapopata nafasi. Hakika ya Uhuru wetu na ulinzi wa Mapinduzi yetu ni vijana wenye uthubutu. https://t.co/ZBlMSFzD7W

— Samia Suluhu (@SuluhuSamia) January 23, 2025

The president’s call coincides with heightened calls for the youth to end their disengagement with politics and seek representation in political institutions.

Events in Kenya and other countries like Burkina Faso have furnished evidence of how this population can not only challenge institutions of power but also decide the political trajectory of the country.

Suluhu became the nation’s first woman president following the death of John Pombe Magufuli in 2021 and will be looking to extend her incumbency to a fresh five-year term.

Elections

Suluhu was unanimously handed the baton as the presidential candidate of her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

She is likely to face off against long-standing opposition leader Tundu Antipas Lissu, a former MP and chairman of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA).

Lissu, 59, was a victim of an assassination attempt in 2017 during President John Magufuli’s administration. The mishap was linked to unidentified gunmen.

He was later flown to Kenya and Belgium where he survived after undergoing an operation on 16 gunshots.