Fears and Hopes for Tanzania at 63: A Nation at the Crossroads of Freedom and Struggle

By Adonis Byemelwa*

Tanzania marks 63 years of independence at a critical juncture, where the promise of freedom now stands overshadowed by mounting economic struggles and political disillusionment.

Once celebrated as a beacon of unity and prosperity, the nation’s journey has been weighed down by a growing debt crisis, skyrocketing unemployment, and a widening gap between the government’s ambitions and the realities faced by ordinary citizens.

The government's decision to scale back grand national celebrations in favor of smaller regional events reflects a shift in focus—from past triumphs to an urgent reckoning with the challenges that lie ahead. What does independence truly mean today?

In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in troubling trends: abductions, enforced disappearances, and a sharp decline in democratic freedoms. Political activists and opposition figures are increasingly speaking out about these issues.

Tundu Lissu, the Vice Chairman of Chadema, has become a vocal critic of the government’s authoritarian drift. Lissu has boldly criticized the government for its crackdown on dissent, warning that such actions put the very essence of the country’s democracy at risk.

"This government has systematically chipped away at the freedoms that should belong to every Tanzanian," he asserts, highlighting the disillusionment that is setting in among citizens who once believed in the promise of political pluralism.

Abdul Nondo, the Youth Wing leader of ACT-Wazalendo, has echoed Lissu’s sentiments, decrying the growing climate of fear that has gripped the nation. Nondo points to the increasing number of disappearances of activists and the suppression of dissenting voices as a direct attack on the democratic gains the country once celebrated. "The reality is that today, we’re far from the vision of a united, free, and democratic nation that Nyerere fought for," Nondo says.

Freeman Mbowe, the Chairman of Chadema, has similarly warned that Tanzania’s democracy is under siege. He argues that the government’s crackdown on opposition parties, its erosion of press freedoms, and its stifling of political discourse represent a dangerous regression. "What we’re witnessing is a shift from Nyerere’s vision of a democratic Tanzania to a nation where people are afraid to speak the truth," Mbowe states.

For many, this repression feels like a betrayal of Julius Nyerere’s legacy. Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president, championed the values of unity, freedom, and equality. He believed that independence was not just about breaking free from colonial rule but about forging a nation where all citizens could enjoy the fruits of self-determination. Nyerere’s vision was clear: true independence would mean the freedom to speak, the freedom to choose, and the unity to build a prosperous nation together.

Yet today, many Tanzanians wonder if these ideals have been abandoned. It’s difficult to reconcile the vision of a united, free, and just society with the reality of enforced disappearances, silencing of political opposition, and an ever-tightening grip on power.
As Tanzania marks its 63 years of independence, the country is forced to confront a painful question: Has the promise of freedom been kept, or has it been twisted into a tool for maintaining the status quo?

While there have been strides in infrastructure, the economy, and education under the current government, these gains are overshadowed by the growing authoritarianism. The push for transparency, good governance, and economic independence has yet to translate into the true freedom that Nyerere envisioned.
Tanzania’s political landscape is no longer one of open discourse and debate. Instead, it is dominated by an air of fear, where dissent is met with intimidation, and public participation in governance is limited to a select few.

The government’s response to these concerns—often through denial or deflection—has done little to ease the growing tension. Ordinary citizens continue to feel disconnected from the decision-making processes that shape their lives. Many now question whether their independence has truly translated into the control over their destiny that Nyerere promised.

As Tanzania’s leaders gather to reflect on the country’s independence, they must ask themselves: are they fulfilling the promises of freedom and unity, or are they allowing those very ideals to be undermined? The task of rebuilding the trust between the people and the state, of re-establishing democracy as a living and breathing entity, is an urgent one.

The time for introspection is long past; the people of Tanzania need action now. For them, true independence will only be realized when their voices are heard, when their rights are respected, and when their leaders are accountable to them. Only then can the nation truly fulfill Nyerere’s vision of a united and free Tanzania.

Retired Judge Joseph Warioba, a staunch advocate for democratic reforms, has long raised alarm bells about the state of governance in Tanzania. Warioba, who served as the head of a constitutional reform commission, has been outspoken about the erosion of democratic values.

"Our democracy is at a crossroads. The challenges we face today are not just about governance; they are about trust. When citizens lose faith in the electoral process and the integrity of institutions, the very foundation of democracy shakes," Warioba said, urging Tanzanians to renew their commitment to democratic principles. His words resonate deeply today, especially as the nation faces a growing disillusionment with the political process.

At the Democracy Day forum in Dar es Salaam, Prof. Anna Tibaijuka, a former UN-Habitat Executive Director, echoed similar concerns. With decades of experience both in Tanzania and globally, Tibaijuka outlined the systematic problems plaguing the country’s political system. “Electoral fraud is not just a fear—it’s a reality. We have seen it in various forms, and it will continue unless we take decisive action,” she said, calling for greater transparency and accountability.

Tibaijuka’s warning comes as the nation prepares for upcoming elections, a period during which the pressure to address electoral fraud and political manipulation will intensify. Her call for the inclusion of independent candidates—people who can lead without the baggage of party politics—remains one of her strongest points, urging the government to loosen the restrictive laws that limit political diversity.

Tibaijuka is not the only one sounding the alarm on the country’s political system. Job Ndugai, the impeached Speaker of the National Assembly, has also voiced his frustration with the state of Tanzania’s democratic practices. Ndugai, a long-time member of the ruling party, expressed his concerns about the deepening crisis of governance. "We have a leadership crisis that is driven by a lack of accountability and transparency," he said.

"Until we address these issues, we cannot talk about true independence. How can we claim to be free when our democracy is shackled by deepening debts and ineptitude?" His words are poignant, especially given his fall from power, which many saw as a result of the internal political machinations within the ruling party.
In contrast to the gloom painted by Warioba, Tibaijuka, and Ndugai, some point to tangible progress. Under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania has recorded some impressive strides in key sectors.

President Samia, who assumed office in 2021, has pushed forward several ambitious infrastructure projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which is expected to transform the country’s transport system.

As Tanzania marks 63 years of independence, many are questioning whether the nation has truly fulfilled the promises of freedom. While there have been strides in renewable energy, infrastructure, and business reforms under President Samia’s administration, citizens across the country remain unconvinced.

Economic growth, largely driven by foreign loans, has not translated into jobs or economic opportunities for the majority. Bravius Kahyoza, an economist at the University of Dar es Salaam, warns that Tanzania is slipping into a debt trap, with a national debt exceeding $45 billion. Job Ndugai, the impeached Speaker of Parliament, shares concerns about the potential economic repercussions of continuing this path.

In regions like Shinyanga, Mwanza, and Arusha, the struggle is palpable. Young people in Shinyanga, like Mariam Makoye, feel trapped in a cycle of poverty with no opportunities. In Mwanza, small-scale fishermen, such as Musa Ndiba, continue to struggle despite government promises of solutions. Arusha’s tourism-dependent economy, still recovering from COVID-19, has left many, like tour guide Salim Nanyaro, barely scraping by. With youth unemployment at over 11% and inflation eroding purchasing power, many Tanzanians feel disconnected from the nation’s development.

Tanzania’s independence was meant to bring control over its destiny, yet today, it often feels as though citizens are at the mercy of foreign creditors and a government that doesn’t understand their struggles. The promise of freedom is empty without economic opportunities, jobs, and a sense of justice. As the country moves into its 64th year, true independence will only come through genuine reforms that create inclusive prosperity, transparency, and accountability. Without this shift, Tanzania risks allowing the suffering of its people to persist.

*Culled from December Edition of PAV Magazine