No ballot yet, but Tanzania’s diaspora voices grow louder

The constitution of Tanzania doesn’t explicitly ban Tanzanians living abroad from voting, it just doesn’t address it.

With its population growing, the Tanzanian diaspora community has sat on the sidelines watching its Kenyan counterpart taking full advantage of its constitution amendment of 2010 that allowed its citizens 18 and older to exercise their voting rights regardless of where in the world they are situated during the election process. Similarly, Rwanda has such provisions.

As the 2025 General Election approaches, the chatter among the diaspora community on their right to elect their President and members of parliament is back and even louder.

The National Election Act (Cap 343) has no directives on overseas voter registration, which hasn’t stopped the diaspora community from advocating for change as they see themselves as part of the citizenry and such fundamental rights should be extended to them.

Some justify that request based on their undeniable contribution to the economy with a steady growing injection of their dollars into the local economy, especially their investment in agriculture and other notable business ventures.

It should be noted that as the election is drawing close, most small-scale traders in hubs like Kariakoo were disgruntled by what they see as encroachment by foreign traders who traditionally did not engage in the retail level of trading.

These Tanzanian retailers, who make up a large population of voters and are very influential when united, had been complaining and asking the government to do something about it, it was no surprise that the Business Licensing Act (Cap 101) order 2025 was enacted which prohibits some business activities for non-citizens.

Though it meant to appease local traders, the diaspora community views it as another measure enacted to restrict their investment in Tanzania, as per the Tanzania Citizen Act, if they have changed nationality, they would be automatically barred from participating in some of the business activities mentioned in the Business licensing act, which means, a diaspora could not, for example; operate retail shops, mobile money services, salons, small-scale mining, local tour guiding, or run radio/TV stations unless specifically exempted.

Failure to comply they would have their visas or residence permits revoked.

In the popular social media conference app ‘Clubhouse’ which is not readily available in Tanzania, they have vetted their hopes, dreams and frustrations. Similar to other Tanzanians living in the country, the diaspora has kept its ears close to what is unfolding in the country.

Earlier this year, Chadema’s internal party election to elect a new chairman was met with a lot of mixed reactions within the communities of Tanzania living abroad.

The party that has for years enjoyed huge support both financial and moral support from Tanzanians living abroad, has faced internal struggles that have affected its supporters in Western countries.

Whether those internal political wrangling will be solved in time for the General Election, time will tell, some of their popular cadres have ditched the party and joined others.

A Tanzanian academic based in Washington is cautioning political parties amidst the rising internal conflicts witnessed within the parties. He has observed political violence even before the General Elections was conducted.

Party primaries have been marred by alleged vote rigging, Chadema was severely fractured after their chairman elections and CUF has seen pockets of internal drama during their primaries as well.

All these parties have loyal members within the diaspora community, for them the videos they see going viral on social media are a reflection of what is going on the ground in Tanzania.

For CCM members living abroad, the recent videos of alleged corruption activities by a group of women who are thought to be delegates wearing CCM colours, have raised trust issues and fairness while nominating their candidates who will vie for parliamentary and ward councillors’ seats across the nation.

Bicycles with party colours that have been distributed across the country have raised the issue of voter bribery and prioritising campaigning antics over service delivery.

Some in the diaspora question why the party has money to buy bicycles and hand them out for free while the very villages have public schools in depleted conditions with no desks and latrines. “We shouldn’t even talk about laptops for public schools, if children in school can’t be given the bare necessities,” a gentleman living in Atlanta said.

Humphrey Polepole, a polarising CCM cadre who went on to become Tanzania’s ambassador to Cuba, also representing Caribbean countries, resigned mid-July 2025. A shocking twist in the current political turmoil the country is witnessing.

The diaspora community was quick to dissect the reason for his departure from the role. In what was seen as a rare defect from a role assigned by the President, Polepole cited having lost faith in the current leadership.

He would use the very social media platform the diaspora uses, to conduct live sessions elaborating his stance. Unlike Tanzanians living in the country, the diaspora is used to public political spats, Western democracies have provided them with enough of that, for the Tanzanians living in the United States for example, they are accustomed to seeing the executive branch publicly criticised and challenged without much surprise.

Former American President Barack Obama, in 2015 reflected on his critics, though he called some of the critics terribly unfair, he attested to the fundamental rights the people have to express their views.

With that political norm they are accustomed to, the diaspora have been more vocal than others when it comes to discussing the upcoming elections. Many have called for the freedom of Opposition leader Tundu Lissu who faces a treason charge.

They feel his freedom and participation in this election will give Tanzania’s democracy a boost and more credibility in the eyes of the international community.

Some in the diaspora community have called for the international community, EAC and SADC to speak up. For the election to be given a clean bill of health, it is prudent that reconciliation should be prioritised.

Tanzanians are not known for violent demonstrations but their displeasure is on display online. Across several diaspora WhatsApp groups, the recent demise of retired Speaker Job Ndungai has aroused mixed feelings, some mourn him and some question his decisions during his tenure as the speaker of the house.

Josephat Gwajima, a member of CCM and a former member of parliament for Kawe constituency, who has visited Tanzanians living in the US in his capacity as a preacher, has formed a close bond with the diaspora community in that country.

It was no surprise when his church was banned, it created a lot of online debates. Some felt that religious freedom is sacred and shouldn’t be infringed upon.

The community helped keep the discussion alive and advocated for his church members to be allowed to conduct church services. Gwajima and Polepole have ruffled some feathers within the ruling party.

Political differences with the CCM party show the need for the party to reconcile within its structure before it faces off opposition parties come October this year.

The Journalist Accreditation Board has been active this time of the year, suddenly the journalists the diaspora community depended on, to get news from the motherland were banned, their qualifications were in question and the diaspora community took it with a grain of salt, questioning the timing.

The discussion between talent and academic qualification, what should be prioritised? They questioned why members of parliament are not required to have a standard academic qualification, when their duties as lawmakers outweigh those of journalists, especially radio presenters who were banned.

The diaspora community watched closely as CCM held a very successful fundraiser in its quest to raise Sh100 billion, a war chest for the upcoming election. Some took issue with Young Africans Sports Club contributing Sh100 million, a gentleman from Maryland, US, vowed to write a complaint to FIFA, the world football governing board, citing that football clubs should be apolitical.

On the issue of billionaires contributing at CCM’s fundraiser, a CCM supporter living in Australia noted that political parties have always received contributions, even some opposition parties like Chadema have enjoyed hefty funds from businessmen like the late Mustafa Sabodo.

As a nation, we can only hope the turbulence leading to the elections will subside and peace will prevail and the diaspora community can add their constructive criticism but also applaud the progress made since the reintroduction of multipartyism in 1992 and the first multiparty elections in 1995.