Political situation in Tanzania

Tanzania's government faces victory - has ruled for 64 years

Tanzania is expected to further extend the term of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party in Wednesday's elections, writes Reuters.

The party has ruled Tanzania without interruption since the country gained independence from Britain in 1961.

According to Amnesty, the government has increased repression against opposition and civil society organizations ahead of the elections. The BBC reports that when President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office in 2021, she was seen as a voice for reconciliation, but that her rule has since become increasingly authoritarian.

- She is now widely considered guilty of kidnappings, murders, and the repression of political opponents, says political analyst Mohammed Issa to the channel.

Voters' criticism: "We have no real elections"

There are no real opportunities for the opposition to challenge incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Wednesday's elections in Tanzania, writes DW. Voters can only hope that the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, which has ruled unchallenged for over 60 years, will listen to their demands.

“I hope they prioritize the needs of the people, especially women, the youth and the disabled,” voter Esther Kasanga told the newspaper.

Others are less hopeful.

“We don’t have real elections because we don’t have a strong opposition. The electoral system is not independent. We already know who will win. I won’t waste time voting,” Dar es Salaam resident Godfrey Lusana told the BBC.