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Tanzania opposition holds first major protest in years
Hundreds of supporters of Tanzania’s main opposition party marched in Dar es Salaam Wednesday in the first such demonstration since political gatherings were banned several years ago.
Members of Tanzania's political opposition parties protest to demand constitutional changes to reduce presidential powers and reform the electoral commission ahead of a general election due next year, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania January 24, 2024. REUTERS/Emmanuel Herman NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
For the first time in seven years, leaders from any opposition group were permitted to organize a major demonstration. This opportunity arose after the late President John Magufuli assumed power in 2015, imposing restrictions on political rallies and protests. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following Magufuli’s death, lifted the ban last year as part of her reconciliation strategy.
The Chadema party is advocating for constitutional changes that would permit the challenging of presidential election results in court. Additionally, they are pushing for amendments to electoral laws to prevent the president from appointing members of the electoral commission. The opposition party is also urging the government to address the high cost of living in the East African nation.
While brandishing placards and blowing whistles, the protesters peacefully marched through the streets of Dar es Salaam, all under the watchful eye of heavy police protection.
Chadema chair Freeman Mbowe expressed the demonstrators’ discontent, emphasizing that the ruling party, CCM, was not attentive to the people’s demands for constitutional changes and interventions to address the soaring cost of living.
Mbowe urged the withdrawal of proposed amendments to electoral laws from parliament until public opinions are incorporated. Despite the heavy police presence, he noted that the protest remained uninterrupted, attributing this to the understanding of their cause by the authorities.
During the tenure of the late President Magufuli, opposition party gatherings and protests were frequently met with violent disruptions by the police, and their leaders faced arrests. Mbowe and deputy Tundu Lissu of Chadema were targets of attacks by unidentified assailants, both asserting that these assaults were politically motivated.
Tanzania, known for maintaining relative stability in a tumultuous region, is experiencing heightened political activity in anticipation of these opposition-led protests. President Hassan, acknowledged for her reformist political stance since assuming office, has garnered significant local and international goodwill.
