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Tanzanian President Confirms He’ll Seek Re-election in October

Tanzanian President Confirms He’ll Seek Reelection in October

(Bloomberg) --

Tanzanian President John Magufuli kicked-off his bid for reelection, a day after dissolving parliament before residents go to the polls in October.

Magufuli, 60, picked up nomination forms Wednesday at the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party’s headquarters in the capital, Dodoma, the presidency said in a statement. Magufuli told supporters that he is running again to fulfill an “obligation of implementing” the party’s 2020-25 manifesto.

Since coming to power in late 2015, Magufuli has boosted government revenue, moved to reform the mining industry and increased spending on roads, railways and power projects.

Opposition leaders including Chadema party Chairman Freeman Mbowe have accused the president of cracking down on democracy, freedoms and dissent, allegations that Mugufuli denies. Mbowe and Chadema Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu, who is in self-imposed exile in Belgium, have both expressed interest in running for president.

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