Tanzania’s political opposition staged its first major protest in years on Wednesday, advocating for constitutional amendments to diminish presidential powers and urging reform of the electoral commission ahead of the upcoming general election scheduled for next year.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who lifted a ban on most political rallies imposed by her predecessor John Magufuli in 2016, has also eased restrictions on media and opposition parties. However, Hassan faced criticism last year when several individuals were arrested for planning protests against a port management deal.
The protest in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, was organized by the opposition Party for Democracy and Progress, known as CHADEMA. The party argues that conducting free and fair elections next year is impossible under the current constitution, adopted in 1977 during Tanzania’s single-party rule. Protesters also called for authorities to address the rising cost of living.
Thousands of CHADEMA supporters marched through Dar es Salaam, brandishing banners with slogans advocating for an independent electoral body and constitutional reforms. The police accompanied the marchers. Ananilea Nkya, a rights activist and protester, stated, “I’m here to push for the new constitution and for the new electoral laws which will bring accountable leaders. I will continue to fight and protest until we get all of these.”
CHADEMA is actively pushing for a new constitution that reduces presidential powers and enhances the independence of the country’s electoral body. Previous attempts to reform the constitution have failed, with the government canceling a planned constitutional referendum in 2015 after the electoral commission requested more time to register voters.
As Tanzania gears up for the next year’s election, President Hassan, who is expected to run for a new term, finds herself at the center of the debate surrounding constitutional changes and electoral reforms.
