Will Political Space Be Broadened In Tanzania?

 Opposition leaders in Tanzania are doubtful about President Samia Suluhu's pledge to find a mutually acceptable way forward for politics in the country. During her state of the nation speech, the president told parliament: "I am planning to meet with political leaders in Tanzania so that we can together chart a path for running political activities that are of benefit to the nation as a whole." The chairman of the main opposition party Chadema, Freeman Mbowe, described the president's promise as "an opportunity missed."

 In the wake of the address, several opposition leaders, including Zitto Kabwe of the ACT Wazalendo party, James Mbatia of the NCCCR-Mageuzi party and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu of the Chadema Party, were planning a public Zoom meeting under the theme "The Right of Political Parties to Hold Political Rallies and Conduct Political Activities in the post-Magufuli period." After being given progressively short shrift during the five years of late former president John Pombe Magufuli's administration, Tanzania's opposition was confined to an even bleaker future following the October 2020 general election. With Magufuli's death on March 17, 2021, he was succeeded by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the first woman to hold the position in Tanzania.