Keypoints:
- Foundation condemns election violence
- Warns of democratic backsliding
- Urges calm and political dialogue
THE Mo Ibrahim Foundation has condemned the violence and repression surrounding Tanzania’s disputed presidential election, warning that the unrest threatens to undo recent democratic gains.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the Foundation said it was ‘watching developments in Tanzania with alarm and misgivings’ and denounced ‘violence against demonstrators’ as ‘unacceptable’.
Concerns over shrinking democratic space
The organisation, which promotes good governance across Africa, said it was ‘dismayed by the new turn taken’ under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. It cited reports of opposition bans, internet shutdowns and the alleged use of live ammunition against protesters.
‘An election which excludes the opposition parties is neither fair nor legitimate,’ the statement read, adding that public anger in the streets was ‘understandable and expected’.
From reform promise to repression fears
The Foundation recalled that, following the ‘authoritarian regime’ of former president John Magufuli, the international community had embraced President Samia as ‘a reformer who believed and stood for democracy, rule of law and civil society’.
It praised her early reforms, including the release of political prisoners and reopening of civic space, but expressed disappointment at the apparent reversal of those gains.
‘After the authoritarian regime of your predecessor, President Magufuli, we all welcomed you as a reformer president,’ the statement continued. ‘We are therefore dismayed by the new turn taken.’
Wider implications for Africa’s stability
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation warned that political instability in Tanzania could deter investment and development across the continent.
‘At our conference in Marrakech last June, we stressed that there could be no leveraging of Africa’s resources or attracting private capital without peace, security and rule of law,’ it noted.
The Foundation also drew parallels with neighbouring Uganda and cautioned that the region, already burdened by ‘unspeakable violence and human tragedy in Sudan,’ could not afford further instability.
Call for calm and dialogue
The statement concluded with an appeal for Tanzanian authorities to restore calm, reopen democratic space and reaffirm their commitment to dialogue, accountability and constitutional rights.
