Tanzania: John Magufuli wins party’s nomination for presidency – opposition candidates awaited

John Magufuli has been nominated by Tanzania’s ruling party – Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to run for president on its ticket in the coming general and presidential elections slated for October 25.

Magufuli, 55, beat 2 female contenders: former senior U.N. official Asha-Rose Migiro and African Union ambassador to the United States Amina Salum Ali.

Magufuli obtained 87 percent of the vote, CCM said on its Twitter account on Sunday. He is seeking to replace president Jakaya Kikwete, who will step down after his second five-year term expires in October.

He has named Samia Hassan Suluhu, 55, as his running mate, setting her on course to be Tanzania’s first woman vice-president if elected.

Magufuli will face opponents – nominees from the following political parties: Chama Cha Demokrasia Na Maendeleo, or CHADEMA, and Civic United Front.

Both opposition parties are yet to name their nominees for the presidency.

Tanzania remains one of Africa’s most politically stable nations. The country’s economy – east Africa’s second-largest after Kenya, is forecast to expand 7.2 percent this year compared with 7 percent growth last year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The country is one of Africa’s largest producers of gold, mined by companies including Acacia Mining Plc and AngloGold Ashanti Ashanti Ltd. It also has natural gas reserves estimated at 55 trillion cubic feet.

Source: Agencies