Event reports
For the first time in Tanzania’s history of multi-partyism, the country’s most important opposition parties have united under the guidance of CHADEMA (Party for Democracy and Progress) together with smaller parties in order to nominate a single candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections as well as common candidates in the different electoral districts for the Parliamentary elections.
Already during the last Parliamentary and Presidential elections in 2010 as well as during the following by-elections there were tensions, conflicts and violent incidents. Representatives of the opposition, the media and the civil society lament that the police and security forces support the ruling party and that the freedom of opinion and assembly is restricted. In fact, since the last elections several newspapers have been banned temporarily or permanently. The same goes for public manifestations and protests, especially those against the ruling party’s actions and approach during the constitutional reform process. These demonstrations were either prohibited or were blocked by the police. In view of these negative evolutions, national and international observers already warned about possible conflicts relating to the constitutional referendum and the elections next year.
The visitor’s programme aimed at linking the recently elected CHADEMA leadership with German and European partners. Importance was given to the exchange of values, ethical principles and political concepts as well as the strengthening of CHADEMA’s international network. Under the direction of the CHADEMA chairman and official leader of the opposition, Hon. Freeman Mbowe, the delegation discussed the potentials of the Tanzanian-European partnership in order to further strengthen peace, democracy and good governance in Tanzania.
