Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, and now Arusha. For two months, these major cities in Tanzania have been shaken by opposition demonstrations. This calls for credible electoral reforms in view of next year’s presidential elections. Because so far, negotiations with the government have only delivered “cosmetic reforms”, denounces Chadema, the main opposition party.
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To make their voice heard, these opponents do not hesitate to take to the streets. Rarely, these demonstrations saw a mass influx of ordinary Tanzanians, driven by their own grievances, as was the case, notably yesterday in Arusha. Brandishing signs and blowing whistles, hundreds of Chadema supporters marched peacefully in the streets of Arusha on Tuesday February 27 under heavy police protection. Their demands: an independent electoral commission and a new Constitution.
Since January 24, other grievances have been added to this mobilization: the high cost of living, power cuts, and even the shortage of sugar. Godbless Lema, a former opposition party MP and organizer of the demonstration in Arusha, was delighted with the large turnout.
“ Everything went well. No one needed to take painkillers, no one lost their cell phone, the crowd was huge, numerous, more than 30,000 people. I have never seen such a crowd come together to oppose a difficult life situation and poverty, it ended well and it was amazing “, he said.
“The president is under more and more pressure”
These are the biggest protests since the president Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the ban on political meetings in January 2023, and this mobilization puts the government under pressure in the run-up to the 2025 elections. The president is under more and more pressure. She is trying to find the right balance, she must not give the impression of repressing the opposition, but it is clear that she is worried. This strong participation will push her to return to the negotiating table », Notes political analyst Maria Sarungi Tsehai.
Negotiations between Chadema and the ruling CCM party over new electoral reforms broke down in January, with Chadema lambasting “ cosmetic proposals “. Opponents who want to modify the Constitution wish to reduce the power of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in particular, with a view to the next elections. Having become president in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, Samia Suluhu Hassan, candidate, hopes to be elected this time. The opposition party is due to meet in the coming days and has already announced other days of mobilization.
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