Tanzania Decides: Why Tanzania Election Has Attracted the Attention of International Community

Tanzania, 29 October 2025 - Tanzanians head to the polls today, 29 October 2025, in what many observers see as a defining moment for a nation often praised for its stability, but recently criticized by rights grouos as lacking democratic freedoms.

The election marks President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s first full-term bid since she rose to power in 2021 following the sudden death of former president John Pombe Magufuli.

Hassan, the country’s first female president and a trailblazer in East African politics, entered office with hopes of ushering in a more open and reformist era after years of alleged repression under Magufuli.

But four years later, critics argue that her leadership, though softer in tone, has preserved much of her predecessor’s ‘tactics’ to silence dissent.

Her ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) remains the most dominant political force in Tanzania.

Analysts say the electoral playing field is heavily tilted in CCM’s favor, with opposition parties struggling under restrictions, arrests, and bureaucratic hurdles that have become common in the lead-up to national elections.

Despite international praise for stabilizing the economy and improving relations with the global community, President Suluhu faces a growing chorus of domestic critics who accuse her of stifling dissent, manipulating the electoral process, and undermining democracy.

Opposition Candidates in a Tough Race

Among those allowed to run against Suluhu is Salum Mwalimu, the presidential flag bearer for the Chaumma Party, a small but rising opposition movement composed largely of defectors from the Chadema party. Mwalimu, who was Tundu Lissu’s running mate in the 2020 elections, has campaigned on promises of restoring political freedoms, tackling youth unemployment, and reducing government overreach.

However, several prominent opposition figures, including Tundu Lissu, have been barred or sidelined from contesting the presidency. Lissu, a long-time government critic and former Chadema stalwart, has endured years of political persecution. In 2017, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt and later fled to exile in Belgium.

According to political and economic analyst Emmanuel Omolle, the state’s hostility toward opposition voices has persisted through successive administrations.

“Tanzania has always been a relatively calm country,” Omolle told Dawan Africa, “but the recent regimes have been a little brutal. Tundu Lissu’s troubles did not start with President Samia Suluhu Hassan — during Magufuli’s tenure, he was forced into exile. When Hassan came to power, she continued with the same grip against Lissu, painting him as the bad guy until she stopped him from running for presidency.”

Shrinking Space for Democracy

There has been an increasingly repressive climate under Suluhu’s administration. Dozens of activists and journalists have been abducted or detained under broad “cybercrime” laws for critical social media posts. Opposition rallies are routinely blocked, and political gatherings require permits rarely granted outside CCM circles.

“These actions mirror Magufuli-era tactics meant to silence dissent rather than encourage open dialogue,” said a civil rights advocate in Dodoma, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

“People are afraid to speak, journalists are cautious, and even the youth who used to be active online now hold back. It’s not democracy — it’s managed control.”

Despite these concerns, Hassan’s supporters remain loyal, praising her diplomatic approach, infrastructure investments, and steady leadership amid global economic uncertainty.

“She has kept Tanzania stable and respected internationally,” said a businesswoman in Dar es Salaam.

“Other leaders bring chaos — she brings peace.”

But not all share that optimism.

“We want real change, not the same faces in different tones,” said a university student in Arusha.

“Hassan promised dialogue, but opposition voices are still being muted. It feels like we are voting in an election whose outcome is already known.”

The Stakes Ahead

International and regional observers from the African Union and the European Union have urged calm and transparency during the polls

 While early reports indicate peaceful voting across most regions, concerns remain about intimidation in rural strongholds and the credibility of the results.   

Analysts say the outcome of this election will not only determine Tanzania’s political future, but also test President Hassan’s legacy as either a reformer or a consolidator of one-party dominance.

For many Tanzanians, the question is not whether she will win, but whether her next term will open space for democracy or close it further.

As the votes are counted, the world watches closely — hoping Tanzania’s long reputation for peace does not come at the expense of its people’s voice.