Keypoints:
- Civil groups reject Samia Hassan’s disputed election
- AU and SADC urged to push for new polls
- Rights abuses, arrests and violence condemned
A COALITION of leading African civil society organisations has urged the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to withhold recognition of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government in Tanzania and to demand fresh elections, following what they described as a ‘fraudulent’ poll marred by violence and intimidation.
The call, made in a joint statement released on Thursday, followed what the coalition called the AU’s and SADC’s ‘firm condemnation’ of the disputed general elections and the violent aftermath. The groups hailed the regional bodies’ reaction as a vital display of commitment to democratic governance and human rights across Africa.
‘We applaud the regional bodies’ decisive stance as a vital affirmation of Africa’s collective commitment to democratic governance, constitutionalism, and human rights,’ the coalition said.
‘Sham election’ denounced
The organisations welcomed the AU and SADC’s decision to ‘stand with the people of Tanzania’ and uphold the principles contained in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.
‘By calling out the sham election and the violence that followed, our continental institutions have demonstrated leadership, integrity and fortitude at a time when silence would have meant complicity,’ the statement added.
The groups expressed grave concern over reports of killings, widespread electoral malpractice, intimidation of opposition candidates, arbitrary arrests, and violent suppression of protests following last week’s general elections. They described these actions as ‘a flagrant breach of regional and international democratic norms and principles’.
‘The legitimacy of governance in Africa cannot rest on fear and manipulation,’ the coalition warned. ‘The AU and SADC have a historic opportunity to reaffirm that democracy – not dictatorship – remains the cornerstone of Africa’s future.’
Coalition outlines demands
The civil society organisations urged both regional blocs to take ‘concrete steps’ to restore democracy in Tanzania. These include withholding recognition of President Hassan’s government, which they said ‘emerged from a discredited and violent electoral process’, and facilitating ‘fresh, transparent, and inclusive elections’ under independent supervision.
They also demanded ‘an immediate end to violence and repression,’ calling for the release of political prisoners and the restoration of media freedom.
‘This is not just about Tanzania,’ the coalition stressed. ‘It is about defending the soul of African democracy. When one nation’s democracy is stolen, it weakens us all.’
Thirteen organisations sign appeal
Thirteen groups across the continent signed the joint statement:
- African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders
- Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
- Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
- Centre for Strategic Litigation
- Ditshwanelo – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights
- International Commission of Jurists
- LCK Freedom Foundation
- Mozambican Human Rights Defenders Network
- Public Interest Practice
- Rivonia Circle
- Southern African Litigation Centre
- Tsunga Bamu Law International
- Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
Regional response awaited
While the AU and SADC have publicly condemned the Tanzanian election, they have yet to outline follow-up measures. Observers say the strong reaction from civil society reflects growing frustration across the continent over election-related abuses and democratic backsliding.
Analysts argue that the regional bodies’ next steps will be crucial in determining whether Africa’s institutions can uphold democratic standards amid a worrying trend of disputed polls and eroding civic freedoms.
