Polling has begun in Tanzania as the country prepares to hold its most important election ever. This electoral process is already plagued by profound controversies, which cast doubt on its eventual integrity. Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan is currently one of just two female heads of state in all of Africa. She is under mounting pressure from human rights activists and opposition parties for reported human rights abuses and the disqualification of leading candidates. The elections come as her administration is making an all-out push to earn back the electorate’s trust. This is after a very turbulent period under her predecessor, John Magufuli.
Samia Suluhu Hassan ascended to power in March 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, who had been known for his authoritarian governance. At first, Hassan was lauded for loosening draconian measures against political challengers and lifting censorship that had defined Magufuli’s presidency. In recent months, opposition leaders have accused her government of being complicit in mysterious disappearances of critics. Since 2019, over 800 cases of enforced disappearance have been registered, causing concern for international human rights organizations.
Rising Tensions Among Political Opponents
Many opposition leaders have paid dearly in this intolerant electoral environment. Tundu Lissu, the leader of the main opposition party Chadema, who until recently was a member of parliament, is on treason trial. This has left many observers to conclude that this is politically motivated harassment. CCM members allegedly abducted the outspoken Humphrey Polepole, ex-spokesperson for Tanzania’s ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), earlier this month. He had resigned and publicly condemned Hassan’s government before his disappearance.
The recent disqualification of Luhaga Mpina, the candidate of the second largest opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, is a further harbinger of escalation. These moves have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including UN human rights experts, who described these actions as “a tool of repression in the electoral context.”
“We urge the Tanzanian government to immediately stop the enforced disappearance of political opponents.” – UN human rights experts
In answer to these accusations, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has consistently claimed that she respects human rights. Last year, after hearing many of these reports about the abductions, she ordered an investigation into the claims. Yet most critics contend that real-world, concrete changes have still to materialize.
Economic Promises Amidst Political Strife
Even with this political turmoil, Hassan’s administration has made some ambitious promises focused on boosting economic development and improving the lives of residents. The government is rolling out massive public infrastructure to garner popular support. It too has pledged universal health insurance, having made this one of the central planks of its campaign strategy. According to the World Bank, Tanzania’s economy grew by 5.5 percent last year, which Hassan’s government hopes will bolster its image and appeal to citizens.
These economic successes are in sharp contrast to the recent reports detailing severe human rights violations. The finding of Ali Mohamed Kibao’s body is an ugly reminder of the risks faced by Tanzania’s political dissidents. This former member of the opposition Chadema party was murdered after being violently taken off a bus in September 2024.
Public Sentiment and Future Outlook
As Tanzanians prepare for elections, the mood of the public is mixed. While some citizens still support Hassan’s government for its economic initiatives, others feel increasingly disillusioned by the government’s crackdown on dissent and suppression of political rivals. The legacy of CCM’s historical dominance of national politics since its founding in 1977 adds even further complexity to the political landscape.
