Chadema’s Chairman Mbowe Leads Nationwide Protest For Electoral Reform And Economic Relief

By Adonis Byemelwa

Today, January 24, 2024, the Chairman of Chadema, Freeman Mbowe, led peaceful demonstrations accompanied by his four children, Aishi, Nicole, Denis, and Dudley.

The children expressed their participation in the protests to stand for their country and demand human rights, and a new constitution.

Freeman Mbowe highlighted the citizens' struggles with the rising costs of food, electricity, and flooding, emphasizing that the government does not listen to the people while government officials enjoy various privileges.

Chadema encourages Tanzanians to raise their voices so that the government recognizes its responsibility to plan and strategize to reduce the cost of living for ordinary citizens.

The major issue is the bills currently in Parliament that lack the qualifications to bring about changes in our electoral systems. We want these bills removed from Parliament."

"We will continue with the demonstrations, and they will not stop. They will move from Dar es Salaam to all regions, then return to Dar es Salaam, continuing in a loop until the government understands that our grievances are not just mine but those of Tanzanians in all regions and districts."

The demonstrations organized by the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) continued to shake various areas of Dar es Salaam, with leaders, supporters, and members participating.

The bills in question are the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Bill, the National Electoral Commission Bill, and the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, all of 2023.

Another aim of the protests is to pressure the government to listen to the citizens' opinions and formulate an emergency plan to address the rising cost of living and inflation.

Early in the morning of January 24, 2024, citizens gathered in various locations to participate in the demonstrations, carrying banners with messages directed at government leaders.

The protests began in Mbezi Luis, Kariakoo, and Buguruni, where many people joined, carrying banners and singing various songs while the police reinforced security in those areas.

In Mbezi Bus Station, some women emerged in Chadema's peaceful demonstrations wearing sacks with different messages.

These women, who collect bottles for a living, explained that they chose this attire to convey their message to President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Tulia Ackson.

In Buguruni, the protests led by Freeman Mbowe, including his three children, started towards the UN offices.

The police presence was heightened in Kariakoo along the route to Morogoro Road, Shekilango, Igesa - Sinza, ending at Sam Nujoma Road, near the UN offices.

RC Chalamila met with Chadema supporters and members in Mbezi Luis, where the protests originated, offering greetings and blessings for the peaceful demonstrations. He reiterated that President Samia had approved of the protests.

Chalamila, who vowed to oversee cleanliness in Dar es Salaam, explained that the security forces did not participate in the cleanup today because the Police Commander had already granted permission for Chadema's demonstrations. He assured that security forces would fully participate in the cleanup on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Regarding the distribution of cleaning materials, Chalamila mentioned that he had distributed them since January 22, 2024, quietly to avoid drawing attention.

While Chadema's peaceful protests were ongoing, some women in Dar es Salaam joined in wearing sacks with different messages, expressing the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.

They emphasized that their attire was chosen because sacks are readily available in the current difficult economic conditions.

In various regions, Chadema leaders and members also joined the protests, showcasing the nationwide scope of the movement.

The leaders emphasized that these protests were not limited to Freeman Mbowe but represented the concerns of Tanzanians across all regions.

As the peaceful protests continued, more than 20 police officers were observed in Buguruni, where the protests began, with heightened security along the route.

The protests aim to oppose three electoral laws presented in Parliament and urge the government to address the economic hardships faced by citizens.

In Buguruni and Mbezi Mwisho, Chadema supporters, donned party attire, and expressed their readiness for the demonstrations.

Banners carried messages such as "Hardships of life are not God's plan" and "We want a new constitution that will birth an independent electoral commission."

Meanwhile, security was tightened by the Police Force in Kariakoo as they awaited the Chadema procession originating from Buguruni.

The peaceful demonstrations seek to draw attention to the government to address the challenges faced by citizens.

Therefore, the Chadema-led peaceful protests have gained momentum, with citizens from various regions participating.

The movement focuses on opposing electoral laws and advocating for the government's attention to the economic difficulties faced by Tanzanians.

Chadema's protests aim not only to oppose specific legislation but also to push for a national dialogue, urging the government to formulate emergency plans to alleviate the rising cost of living and inflation affecting Tanzanians.