THE ruling party intends to strengthen its youth wing (UVCCM) to ensure it remains a political force for the future, focusing on ideological training and engagement in national politics.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the party’s national chairperson, made this declaration at the 48th anniversary of its proclamation, where a major focus was party strategies in the next five years.

CCM plans to identify emerging challenges and tackle them proactively, where in line with the party’s focus on the youth, the party leadership shall seek to deliver on its promises, she stated.

The chairperson was persuaded that the party would remain at the helm of the country’s affairs through the 2025 general elections, given its track record for 48 years.

She expressed confidence that voters would entrust the party with the country's leadership in all levels of election, while acknowledging the challenges facing the party.

The president warned against complacency, pointing at members’ tendency of underestimating opposition parties, demanding that they stay vigilant and maintain the party’s strength.

Selecting candidates for parliamentary and local government elections will be fair and transparent with the party fielding candidates widely accepted among the public, she stated.

Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, the party secretary general and running mate to the president, emphasised the need to accelerate development initiatives.

Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Zanzibar president and presidential candidate, called on party members to uphold unity and solidarity, as well as to encourage voter registration to secure the party’s success in the general election.

The two speakers extolled CCM achievements in delivering on its 2020 election manifesto, likely to retain public trust in the party.

The party leadership reiterated CCM commitment to a stable, prosperous and united country, citing remarks by founding chairman Mwalimu Julius Nyerere that a strong CCM is essential for the stability in the country.

The ruling party unveiled its presidential candidates and outlined strategies focused on tackling youth unemployment, with the party chairperson noting that youth unemployment is a global issue.

The CCM government is already addressing the matter by educational reforms that focus on building skills for the youth, to enable them to take advantage of employment opportunities.

The government is introducing programmes to improve the business environment, attract local and foreign investments and promote self-employment, she stated.

Investments in sectors like sports, arts, entertainment, and tourism are expected to contribute significantly to job creation, with efforts to build a robust tourism industry and bolster the blue economy, she further noted.