By Princess Eugene Majuru
Tanzania ( News of The South) – The conduct of the general elections in Tanzania, particularly the 2020 polls, drew significant international alarm and criticism due to a severe crackdown on the opposition and allegations of widespread irregularities. This democratic backsliding prompted commentary from global figures, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, and African intellectual Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, though their perspectives offered different tones.
The Flawed Conduct of Tanzanian Elections
International observers and human rights groups largely deemed the 2020 Tanzanian elections to be fundamentally flawed and lacking credibility. The irregularities and restrictive environment included:
Suppression of Opposition: There was a significant crackdown, with reports of opposition leaders and members being arrested, detained, and intimidated. The leader of the main opposition party, Tundu Lissu, was arrested and faced treason charges.
Electoral Irregularities: Allegations were rife, covering the barring of thousands of opposition electoral observers, ballot box tampering, multiple voting, and pre-ticking of ballots.
Restricted Civic Space: Pre-election conditions stifled free speech and criminalized civic action. Security forces created a “climate of fear” through heavy deployment of military and police, leading to violence, beatings, and killings, especially in Zanzibar.
Internet Shutdowns: Authorities restricted communication by blocking popular social media websites and messaging platforms, hindering the free flow of information crucial to a democratic process.
The United Nations Secretary-General voiced “deep concern” over the situation and reports of post-election violence, calling for an impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force and human rights violations.
The Voices of Obama and Lumumba
Barack Obama’s Stance (Implicit)
While former President Barack Obama did not issue a specific, high-profile statement about the 2020 Tanzanian election at the time, his long-standing policy statements have strongly defended democratic ideals, including the right to free and fair elections, freedom of the press, and the rule of law.
International critics of the elections, such as the Council on Foreign Relations, echoed this sentiment, arguing that when opposition leaders are arrested and must flee the country, “there are no congratulations in order for anyone”. These criticisms align with the broader values championed by Obama’s administration, which had previously noted tensions with Tanzania over restrictions on civil liberties and contentious elections in Zanzibar.
Professor P.L.O. Lumumba’s View
In contrast to the international criticism, Kenyan Law Professor P.L.O. Lumumba expressed confidence ahead of the 2020 polls that the incumbent, President John Magufuli, would be re-elected and that the ruling party, CCM, would overwhelmingly win.
Professor Lumumba’s comments, made at a webinar, were largely dismissive of the opposition. He argued that opposition parties had “failed to come up with alternative policies” to convince the electorate they could do better than the ruling party, calling their campaigns full of “emotions, ambiguity and hypocrisy”. A notable pan-Africanist, Lumumba also questioned the necessity of the multiparty system itself, suggesting it was “forced on the continent by super powers of Europe,” and that “there is no freedom without accountability and limit,” urging opposition leaders to abide by the laws.
The Right Thing to Do: An Assessment
The Tanzanian situation, marked by an erosion of democratic space and the barring or detention of key opposition figures, demands a measured response focused on strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law.
The right thing to do includes:
Promote Dialogue and Inclusion: The UN has urged all stakeholders to engage in an “inclusive and constructive dialogue” to address grievances and reduce tensions. Silencing challengers will not defuse the tense political situation.
Ensure Electoral and Judicial Independence: Fundamental reforms are required to create a truly independent electoral body and judicial system where election results can be fairly challenged in court.
Respect Fundamental Rights: Authorities must safeguard the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and the right to information, which includes ensuring unrestricted access to the internet during electoral periods.
Impartial Investigations: All allegations of excessive force, violence, and human rights violations, including reported killings and detentions, must be subject to thorough and impartial investigations.
Ignoring the disenfranchisement and the closing political space is dangerous, as it raises the stakes for internal political challenges and risks undermining the country’s long-term economic and regional ambitions.
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