After the 2025 general elections, Tanzania will begin the process of writing a new constitution. A new constitution will be among the long-term issues addressed, according to a statement released by the State House.
This comes after the release of the Chadema party’s key opposition leader, Freeman Mbowe.
He claimed that his court case was politically motivated since he began a campaign calling for a new constitution. The Tanzanian government denies that allegation.
Last week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan refused to discuss the constitution, saying it was a “matter between herself and Tanzanians”.
Activists and opposition groups, on the other hand, have been pressing for a new constitution.
Mbowe was accused of terrorism and spent eight months in prison until the accusations were withdrawn in early March.
For the first time since his release, he told reporters that he will continue to demand a new constitution, but with a more cautious approach.
“In African democracies sometimes telling the truth can be your hanging rope, it’s very unfortunate that our leaders, most of the time, would not like to hear what they don’t want to hear. When you tell the truth and stand by the truth you become the victim of circumstances” he says.
Immediately after his release, Mbowe met President Samia to discuss their working relations.
“In essence what we agreed was that we are ready to work together if both of us are targeting justice as the pillar of running political affairs” he says.