Ahead of the general election that is scheduled for next year, Tanzania’s political opposition staged its first significant demonstration in years on Wednesday, calling for constitutional amendments that would limit the president’s authority and restructure the electoral commission.
In addition to easing other limitations on the media and opposition parties, President Samia Suluhu Hassan this year overturned the ban on the majority of political gatherings, which her predecessor John Magufuli had put in place in 2016.
Human rights advocates, however, criticized Hassan last year after a number of individuals were detained for organizing demonstrations against a port management agreement.
The opposition Party for Democracy and Progress, often known as CHADEMA, organized the demonstration that took place in Dar es Salaam, the commercial center, on Wednesday.
With Tanzania governed by a single party in 1977, CHADEMA claims that the present constitution makes it impossible to hold free and fair elections the following year. Authorities were also urged by protestors to lower living expenses.
Thousands of supporters of CHADEMA marched through Dar es Salaam while brandishing banners with messages calling for constitutional changes and an independent election authority. The marchers were escorted by police personnel.
“I’m here to push for the new constitution and for the new electoral laws which will bring accountable leaders,” Ananilea Nkya, a rights activist and one of the protesters told Reuters as she walked.
“I will continue to fight and protest until we get all of these.”
CHADEMA is advocating for a new constitution that would increase the independence of the nation’s electoral body while simultaneously reducing the powers of the president.
The constitution has not been changed in the past. A scheduled constitutional referendum was called off by the government in 2015 after the electoral commission stated that further time was required for voter registration.
In the election that follows, Hassan is anticipated to seek reelection.
