Tanzania's Government Lifts Ban on Political Rallies
Tanzanian President
Samia Suluhu Hassan has lifted a six-year-old ban on political rallies. Her
predecessor, the late John Magufuli, banned public rallies in 2016, one year
after he came to power, saying they could escalate into violence.
The president made the
remarks at State House Tuesday during a meeting with leaders of political
parties.
"Our responsibility is
to protect you to hold political rallies peacefully, finish well and leave
safely, the president says. "Your responsibility as a political party is to
follow the laws as they say. Let’s do mature politics. Let's do politics to
build and not tear down,” she said.
Since coming to power
after the death of predecessor John Magufuli in 2021, Hassan has taken steps to
break away from his policies, which were seen as muzzling political dissent.
Benson Singo is the
deputy secretary of the Party for Democracy and Progress, better known as
Chadema.
He said, "We are not
celebrating this because it’s our right. We were delayed in conducting our
duties as political parties, which is our right according to the law. Singo
adds that what we need to come together as Tanzanians to push our leaders, who
swear to administer and protect the law and should follow the laws.”
Some opposition
politicians say the president’s move should be a foundation stone for democracy
in the country.
Abdul Nondo is a youth
wing national chairperson of the opposition Alliance for Change and
Transparency Party.
Nondo said, "As
political party leaders, political parties should use this loophole to make
sure that we will demand big reforms in our laws and constitution so that all
these rights that some leaders have been breaking will be protected. He added
that we should make sure there will be no other leaders in the future who come
and use their words to break people’s rights.”
Kumbusho Dawson,
executive director of Reach Out Tanzania, a non- government organization
advocating for human rights, said he is optimistic about the future.
"It is something
that is good for the nation because political parties can explain the people's
problems and present their policies, he says. But also, Dawson adds, the president
clearly explains the issue of continuing the new constitution process; all of
these will contribute to removing oppressive laws," he said.
In previous speeches,
President Hassan has touched on key issues affecting Tanzania, particularly
democracy, raising hopes for change.
Implementing these
changes may yet prove to be a challenge. Despite the president’s different
approach, she is from the same party as Magufuli and will still need its
backing.
VOA
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