Tanzania opposition protests against electoral reforms

DAR ES SALAAM: Thousands of people protested in Tanzania on Wednesday against proposed changes to electoral laws, in the largest public demonstration since the government lifted a ban on opposition political rallies a year ago.

Tanzania´s main opposition party, Chadema, organised the rally in the main city of Dar es Salaam as lawmakers prepare to debate next month a raft of contentious electoral reforms proposed by the government.

“This is just the beginning,” Chadema leader Freeman Mbowe promised the crowd, adding that protests would spread from Tanzania´s economic capital to other parts of the country until the government responded to its concerns.

Tanzania is scheduled to hold its first presidential election in 2025 since the death of John Magufuli in late 2021 led to his deputy, Samia Suluhu Hassan, becoming leader of the East African country.

Mbowe, who has spent time in prison under both leaders, said the proposals did not address concerns over the last election in 2020, which Magufuli won in a landslide despite opposition claims of fraud.