The main opposition party, Chadema, held its first meeting on Saturday January 21 since the lifting of the ban on political gatherings. This measure was taken in 2016 by former Tanzanian President John Magufuli and lifted in early January by current President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
With our regional correspondent, Albane Thirouard
In Tanzania, a wind of hope is blowing through the country. Thousands of Chadema party supporters took to the streets of Mwanza on Saturday, wearing the party’s blue, red and white colours. They were flanked by a few policemen, they marched singing and chanting their slogans, some waving the Chadema flag.
” Thank God the day has come when we speak with our fellow Tanzanians », rejoiced the president of the party, Freeman Mbowe, sharing in front of his supporters his optimism for more freedoms. This ban on the holding of rallies had been widely criticized, as it only concerned those of the opposition. The party in power being free to organize them.
The opposition calls for a new constitution
In power since March 2021, Samia Suluhu Hassan seeks to break with certain practices of its predecessor, John Magufuli, whose years in power were marked by authoritarian excesses. The president notably reopened certain media that had been banned. A welcome development, but with caution. Under his presidency, Freeman Mbowe also spent seven months in prison, arrested in July 2021 as he prepared to organize a public debate to demand constitutional reforms.
Chadema has several demands, including a new constitution and an independent electoral commission. The opposition party has already planned to hold other rallies in several cities in Tanzania.
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