Expectations high ahead of political rallies resumption

Dar es Salaam. This weekend will witness several opposition political parties resuming public rallies, about two weeks since President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted a six-and-a-half year ban that was imposed by her predecessor, Dr John Magufuli.

The ban, which came into force in 2016, caused frequent confrontations between opposition leaders and police and resulted in repeated arrests of opposition politicians while those from the ruling party were free to do as they pleased.

Under the late Magufuli’s policy, elected politicians were allowed to conduct rallies in their constituencies, but other political rallies or demonstrations were banned.

However, after a series of meetings and in line with what she described as being party of her strategy of Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding the nation, dubbed 4Rs, President Hassan – who ascended to the Presidency on March 19, 2021 – lifted the ban earlier this month.

“I am here to declare that the ban on political rallies has been lifted. It is the right of political parties to hold rallies but we all have to be responsible,” President Hassan told leaders of Tanzania’s 19 registered political parties in Dar es Salaam, earlier this month.

With the ban officially lifted, major political parties are now strategising to start selling their ideologies to Tanzanians, with Chadema announcing that they have over 10 issues to tell the public.

The party’s heavyweights have assembled in Mwanza for public rallies that are slated to start tomorrow (Saturday, January 21, 2023). On the other hand, ACT Wazalendo’s central committee is meeting this weekend to sketch the party’s agenda to the nation.

Analysts say it was about time that the political groupings marketed what they seek to do for the country instead of utilising the chance of propagating unfounded allegations and insults.

“There is no need to exchange harsh words. They should come with figures. The public needs to compare and contrast – the power of statistics….We need professional and objective politics and that if there is a need to object to an issue, then it must be done decently and that an alternative solution should be provided,” said a senior lecturer at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (Saut), Dr Aidan Msafiri.

A communication specialist from the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof Martha Qorro, was of the view that Politicians must consider their words carefully before speaking them, as speaking them recklessly could be disastrous.

“We are building one society, one nation. Let our politics be decent. Let’s stand together on issues of national interest. I view political parties as institutions that build the country for its development, so no reason to quarrel,” she said.

Prof Qorro believes that this is the right time for the said institutions to sell their ideas, policies and agenda to Tanzanians, and that it is indeed a time for debating with facts and figures, not fabrication of issues.

A senior lecturer at the University of Iringa, Dr Cornelius Simba, commended President Hassan’s decision to lift the ban saying it was exactly what people wanted.

“I, however, expect that there will be peace and harmony as politicians start making public rallies….That is how they will grow their parties and increase their membership bases,” he said.

He also expects politicians both from the opposition and those of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to behave as well as advocate constructive criticism. Adding: “When you disagree on a certain issue, then come with an alternative solution.”

Dr Simba believed that the national agenda and people-related concerns such as bad infrastructure, strengthening the economy, empowering people, and other topics of public interest should be debated.

Moreover, Dr Rashid Ahmed, an independent political consultant, explained that all parties have the responsibility of maintaining peace, and that agenda-focused issues would add more value than individual-focused claims.

“Of course, if an individual is corrupt then they are to open up, though I am more into politics of issues, the country has lots which needs their inputs. The President has done some great work, but more is required, including a new constitution,” he reflected.

Why Lake Victoria Zone matters

With a total of 16.42 million people, the Lake Zone has a big number of voters that all major political parties will want to acquire.

The 16.42 million represent 27 percent of Tanzania’s 61.7 million people, according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census.

Tanzania has a total of 31 regions. Four of the six Lake Victoria Zone regions are on the list of top ten regions in terms of population size.

The regions and the number of people in brackets are, Mwanza (3.7 million), Kagera (2.99 million), Geita (2.98 million) and Mara (2.4 million).

Shinyanga and Simiyu have 2.24 million and 2.14 million people respectively.