Tanzania's main opposition party holds protest in pouring rain

Dar es Salaam. Waving placards and blowing whistles, hundreds of supporters of Tanzania's main opposition party, Chadema, peacefully marched in the streets of Arusha on Tuesday under heavy police protection.

Led by Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and other leaders, demonstrators are demanding transparency and fairness in the upcoming elections.

Also, Chadema wants the constitution to be changed to allow presidential election results to be challenged in court. It also wants electoral laws amended to prevent the president from selecting members of the electoral commission.

The opposition party also called on the government to address the high cost of living.

The Arusha demonstrations mark the conclusion of the peaceful protests of the party that began on January 24 in Dar es Salaam, followed by Mwanza and Mbeya.

It was the first time in seven years that leaders of any opposition group were allowed to hold a major demonstration after President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the ban last year as part of her reconciliation strategy after taking office in 2021 following John Magufuli’s death.