Monitoring Desk
MWANZA: Tanzania’s main opposition party held Saturday its first mass rally since lifting a ban imposed in 2016, creating hopes the government is firmly committed to enhanced political freedom in the East African country.
“It was not easy after those seven long years of banning political activities,” Jon Mrema, the director for communications and foreign matters for the Chadema party, told cheering supporters.
Thousands of supporters of Chadema gathered at the Furahisha grounds in the Mwanza, draped in the party’s blue, red and white colors.
“We have been silent for almost seven long years, but finally, our political right is restored, and we are prepared to move ahead,” Mwanza resident and party supporter Mary Dismas said.
Tanzania political freedom
This month, President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the ban introduced by president John Magufuli, nicknamed “Bulldozer” for his leadership style.
The change of heart of the government comes as Hassan seeks to break with some policies of Magufuli.
The move was cautiously welcomed as a victory0 for democracy by rights groups and the opposition parties of the country.
Magufuli had banned political activities early in his tenure, saying it was not time for politics for time for work.
But critics said the ban on political rallies applied only to opposition parties, with the ruling party free to hold gatherings, and police violently breaking up rival gatherings and their officials jailed.
