Politics

Tanzania: Opposition CHADEMA protests, calls for constitutional reform

Published

11 months ago

January 25, 2024

Ahead of the general election that is scheduled for next year, Tanzania’s political opposition staged its first significant demonstration in years on Wednesday.

In addition to easing other limitations on the media and opposition parties, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has overturned the ban on the majority of political gatherings, which her predecessor, John Magufuli, had put in place in 2016.

But the opposition wants more and is calling for constitutional amendments that would limit the president’s authority and restructure the electoral commission, as the Eastern African country has been governed by a single party since 1977.

The opposition Party for Democracy and Progress, known as CHADEMA, organized the demonstration that took place in Dar es Salaam, the commercial centre, on Wednesday.

CHADEMA claims that the current constitution makes it impossible to hold free and fair elections. The government was also urged 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 a journalist as she walked.

“I will continue to fight and protest until we get all of these.”

Related Topics:Chadema Featured Tanzania

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Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.