Political Sparks Fly in Tanzania as Opposition Gears Up for Transformative Elections.

By Adonis Byemelwa

In the pulsating heartbeat of Tanzania's local government elections, Freeman Mbowe, the dynamic Chairman of Chadema, has sounded the rallying cry. His impassioned call echoes through the political landscape, urging party leaders to unleash their candidates across villages, neighborhoods, and hamlets. The stage is set for a fervent political showdown as Tanzania braces for a transformative electoral season.

Mbowe's directive comes with a stern warning: leaders failing to present candidates and allowing the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), uncontested victories will face removal from their positions due to a lack of leadership qualifications.

This push for candidate representation echoes recent directives from ACT-Wazalendo Party Leader, Dorothy Semu, who, during a public meeting at Las Vegas Grounds in Mabibo, Dar es Salaam, called for internal election preparations on March 6. Mbowe's message aligns with the sentiments of his predecessor, Zitto Kabwe, creating a unified front within opposition parties as the country gears up for political engagement.

On March 9, 2024, during the International Women's Day celebrations in Dodoma organized by the Chadema Women's Council (Bawacha), Mbowe conveyed his message regarding the upcoming elections. Notably, this marks Mbowe's first official statement on their party's participation in the impending elections, setting the stage for increased political activity.

Chadema's cautious approach stems from the disqualification of many of its candidates in the 2019 and 2020 elections. Following these setbacks, the party adopted a stance of non-participation in any elections until fundamental changes were made to the constitution and electoral laws.

In his impassioned speech during the Dodoma event, Mbowe not only urged women to prepare for local government elections but also emphasized the party's commitment to contest every village and neighborhood, ensuring no CCM candidate goes uncontested against Chadema.

The firebrand opposition leader issued a stern warning against negligence and failure to field candidates, stating that leaders falling short in this regard would face ousting. He underscored the gravity of their commitment to crucial tasks, urging everyone to work diligently.

To reinforce this commitment, Mbowe directed key figures within Chadema, including Secretary-General John Mnyika and councils like Bavicha, Bawacha, and Bazecha, to ensure that every contested position in both local government and general elections has a Chadema candidate. This goes beyond mere candidacy, emphasizing the need for competitive individuals capable of securing victories.

Mbowe's proclamation places immense responsibility on the shoulders of Tanzanians, with the chairman asserting that the hopes and expectations of the people rest on Chadema's ability to field candidates successfully. Failure to do so, according to Mbowe, would inadvertently grant permission for CCM to run uncontested in key positions.

Shifting the focus to the ruling party, Abdulrahman Kinana, CCM-Mainland Vice-Chairman, addressed the ACT-Wazalendo party's general meeting on March 5 in Dar es Salaam. Kinana emphasized President Samia Suluhu Hassan's commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in the upcoming elections. He stressed the importance of both having effective laws and a genuine intention to uphold them, underlining the potential consequences of lacking genuine commitment to legal frameworks.

In response to recent protests and concerns about the electoral process, John Mnyika instructed Nkasi North MP, Aida Khenan, to prepare a private bill for the Amendment of the Local Government Election Law. The directive is contingent upon the government's failure to present the bill during the Budget session beginning on April 2. Mnyika's objective is clear – to establish a framework for free and independently supervised elections, distancing the process from the influence of the Office of the President - Regional Administration and Local Government.

Mnyika also urged women to mobilize participation in villages and neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for inclusive representation. Acting Chairwoman of Bawacha, Sharifa Suleiman, expressed the organization's readiness for the upcoming elections, with numerous women expressing their intent to run for various positions. Suleiman assured Tanzanians that they would not disappoint, emphasizing that the country belongs to everyone.

In the realm of legal and human rights discourse, Hidaya Haonga, Lawyer and Coordinator of the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC) Dodoma called on political parties to create enabling environments that empower women to participate fully in elections. She posed critical questions about strategies in place to combat corruption in elections, especially concerning women's involvement.

Dr. Victoria Lihim, a lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), focused on recent political party law changes. She pointed out that the law lacks specific directives on the percentage of women to be nominated in various elections, suggesting the incorporation of set percentages, such as 50% or 30%, to enhance female representation.

Catherine Ruge, Secretary-General of Bawacha, reported a significant turnout of 3,009 women at the International Women's Day celebrations. The event was preceded by a march from the Modern Market of Machinga to the Bible College Hall in Mipango, Dodoma, symbolizing the collective voice of women in the political sphere.

In a speech representing President Samia at the meeting, Kinana addressed concerns about the commitment to free and fair elections. He acknowledged doubts arising from events in 2019 and 2020, reassuring the audience that President Samia has resolved to ensure the upcoming elections are transparent and fair, allowing the voters to make their decisions.

Reflecting on the recent past, where many CCM candidates ran uncontested in local elections, sparking criticism and opposition boycotts, Tanzania finds itself at a critical juncture. With opposition parties mobilizing and internal restructuring and the ruling party emphasizing its commitment to electoral integrity, the stage is set for a vibrant and potentially transformative political landscape in the upcoming elections. The nation eagerly awaits the unfolding developments as political players gear up for a dynamic electoral season.