Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, is set to stage protests against proposed electoral bills, the high cost of living, and delays in constitutional reforms. The police in the commercial city of Dar es Salaam have granted permission for the march but cautioned against violence and incitement, according to local media.
Chadema, having reached a consensus with the police to allow peaceful demonstrations, plans to lead the protests on Wednesday to exert pressure on the government for reforms ahead of the upcoming general election in the following year.
The party objects to three electoral bills presented in parliament last November, calling for their withdrawal due to alleged neglect of the views of numerous stakeholders.
With local government elections scheduled for later this year, these demonstrations mark the first mass protest since President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed power in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli. Magufuli had faced accusations of suppressing dissent by banning political rallies.
Tanzania, known for relative stability in a volatile region, has garnered local and international goodwill under President Hassan’s leadership for adopting a reformist political approach.