from ALLOYCE KIMBUNGA in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Tanzania Bureau
DAR-ES-SALAAM, (CAJ News) – RECENT youth protests demanding reforms, churches expressing disquiet over the prevailing political atmosphere and a fallout between the government and the human rights community.
All these developments further raise grave concerns that the upcoming general poll will be free and fair.
Voter apathy is thus projected when the East African nation holds the elections on October 29.
Weeks preceding the poll have been tense, dominated by repression and calls to initiate electoral reforms, not to hold elections.
Government’s response points to a deepening dictatorship, contrary to the promising signs when Samia Suluhu Hassan became president, to replace the autocratic John Magufuli, who died in 2021.
Once hailed for its peaceful transitions and political maturity, Tanzania has now degenerated into an erosion of democratic norms, according to human rights groups.
Liberatus Mwang’ombe, the rights activist, commented on the significance of the concerns raised by the church and the anti-government sentiment by the youth.
“On October 29 -Election Day- churches will hold festivals and talks instead of voting. Message is clear: they reject this year’s election,” he said.
“Tanzania’s Gen-Z says it out loud: No Reforms, No Election!” Mwang’ombe said.
He foresees October 29 being a mass protest to stop the vote.
“The message echoes nationwide – even on broken roads and bridges – warning the regime: business as usual is over.”
The overwhelming view is that the election will not be credible.
Maria Sarungi Tsehai, media and communications expert, believes Tanzanians’ choices will be torn between going to vote in a “sham election” or going out to protest.
“Of course given a third choice publicly many will say “stay at home” but the reason neutrality is no longer a real option is because CCM has fake ballots and allegedly has access to the electoral database and they will generate fake votes.”
“But also the youth (Gen Z) are angry and fed up with mass abductions, corruption and unemployment! This is the most contentious election and we need to keep an eye on it,” she added.
CCM is Chama Chama Mapinduzi (Party of the Revolution) which has dominated since independence in 1961, and assumed its current name through the merger of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), the ruling party in the then Tanganyika, and the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), the governing party in the island archipelago of Zanzibar.
Amid a crackdown against opposition, there are some calls for a postponement, and reforms to be initiated.
“In the face of political rogue and instability in Tanzania, rushing into elections risks chaos and illegitimacy. A brief postponement is wiser to safeguard peace, unity and true democracy,” Dr Dennis Swai, medical practitioner and political commentator, said.
In terms of democracy, Tanzania lost its way in 2015 with the election of Magufuli (now late).
He initiated a crackdown on critics, and by the time he died shortly after attaining his second term, dictatorship had been entrenched.
Magufuli’s deputy, Samia Suluhu Hassan, succeeded him.
The first female to occupy the presidency, there was hope democracy would be retained when she reversed some authoritarian policies implemented by her predecessor.
She has however morphed into her own version of a dictator, according to critics, including the indigenous Maasai that are being forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands.
With no serious challenge, Suluhu (65) is the overwhelming favourite.
This after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the Registrar of Political Parties barred potentially main opponent, Luhaga Mpina, who left CCM and joined Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT).
Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA or Party for Democracy and Progress) is also barred after INEC said it had failed to sign a code of conduct document.
Its chairman, Tundu Lissu, was arrested in April on charges of incitement and treason. He is disqualified.
The emergence of Salum Mwalimu of Chama Cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMMA of People’s Liberation Party) as the only significant challenger has raised suspicions. He defected from CHADEMA and is believed to be secretly backed by the ruling party.
This week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed doubt at holding credible elections after suppression of political opposition and critics of the ruling party, stifling the media and failing to ensure the electoral commission’s independence.
HRW said it had documented cases of politically motivated assault, harassment, abduction, and torture as well as the impact of restrictions on traditional and social media.
“Tanzania’s authorities should take immediate measures to protect the integrity of the October elections, which are currently at great risk,” said Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka, Africa researcher at HRW.
Government has hit back.
Gerson Msigwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, and Chief government spokesperson, said the report contained erroneous and misleading information as well as false allegations against Tanzania.
“It is a regrettable that an institution of international repute like HRW would publish unfounded claims clearly intended to tarnish the image of our country at the international level,” Msigwa said.
The spokesperson said the government was committed to upholding human rights in the leadup to the general elections and beyond, “as it always does.”
“The government is also determined to uphold the principles of good governance and the rule of law in the upcoming elections, as its practice,” Msigwa said.
– CAJ News