Tanzania: President lifts ban on opposition political rallies
Samia Suluhu Hassan succeeded John Magufuli after his death in March 2021. AP
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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced Tuesday, January 3 the lifting of the ban on political meetings which had hit the opposition since 2016 in this East African country, in a new signal of openness and rupture with its authoritarian predecessor John Magufuli.
Publicity
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This is a new signal of political openness in Tanzania.
After meeting this Tuesday, January 3 at the presidential palace with representatives of 19 parties and having met with Freeman Mbowe, leader of the main opposition Chadema party, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that she was lifting the ban on political meetings in force. under his predecessor, John Magufuli, since 2016. “
Let me start with the issue of political rallies.
They are legal and it is the right of political parties to organize them,
she said.
It is for this reason that I declare today that their ban is lifted.
»
"
You are all free to criticize the government
," assured the leaders of the political parties, the one who has been in power since March 2021. In 2016, President Magufuli banned public gatherings of political parties.
In fact, this ban only affected the opposition, because the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, in power since independence in 1961, could hold meetings where and when it wanted.
Appointed to succeed Magufuli, of which she was vice-president, Samia Suluhu Hassan displayed her rupture, in particular reaching out to the opposition, authorizing the reopening of banned media and saying she was ready to defend democracy and fundamental freedoms.
Reforms
Concerning the
potential reforms
to come, the Tanzanian president mentioned the laws which govern the life of the parties and the electoral game, subjects on which the opposition has many expectations in view of the presidential election of 2025
. Constitution, many things have been said, everyone has defended their point of view.
I want to tell you that my government is resolutely committed to reactivating the process of amending the Constitution, we will come back to this soon, we will get down to it as soon as possible.
»
Human rights groups and opposition parties have been calling for democratic reforms for years, including to limit presidential powers and allow greater freedom of opinion.
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Tanzania
John Magufuli
Samia Suluhu Hassan