🔎President Samia’s Rebuke of Bishop Gwajima: An Intelligence Perspective on Power, Abductions, and Political Tensions in Tanzania

Gwajima vs. Samia: The Ruling Party in Flames — As Bishop Gwajima clashes with President Samia Suluhu over abductions, the burning CCM emblem between them symbolises the growing rift, rising religious tensions, and the political cost of silencing dissent.

Intelligence Analyst: Evarist Chahali

Intelligence Cut-Off Date: May 31, 2025 | 0030 BST

---

I. Executive Summary

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s forceful rebuke of CCM MP and cleric Bishop Josephat Gwajima over his comments on abductions in Tanzania reveals deepening rifts within the ruling party. The President’s term “Gwajimanised”, used to deride dissenters, and her warning against “Magwajima” in CCM ranks, carry implications that go far beyond internal discipline. With abductions unresolved and the state’s silence deafening, Gwajima’s remarks have amplified public concern and shifted the debate to Tanzania’s corridors of power. The rebuke has raised questions about the government’s stance on security, tolerance for dissent, and religious balance—especially as tensions mount ahead of the 2025 elections. This analysis examines the events, exploring in depth the broader political and intelligence context, and offers an outlook on how this high-stakes confrontation might unfold.