By Caleb Koyo
When President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania announced her bid for re-election in the coming polls, what should have been a moment of national pride, a symbol of democratic contest and the people's will, exposed how fragile Liberty and political democracy remain in Tanzania.
So far, the opposition party, CHADEMA, has been prevented from participating in the October Polls after its leader, Tundu Lissu, called for reforms. Lissu has so far been charged with treason. It's necessary to note that the candidate for the second-largest opposition party, ACT Wazalendo, has also been disqualified, leaving President Samia Suluhu clearly vying against herself. What should be a season for different candidates to share their manifestos with the people has become exclusion and silencing.
Tanzania, over the years, has been labelled stable by many. Still, the truth is that stability without Liberty does not amount to anything, Samia Suluhu inspired so much hope during her early days in office following the death of President Magufuli, but recent arrest of political opponents and constant threats to international observers depicts a government imposing on party rule, the conversation is not only about Tanzania, neighbouring countries are following suit, what happens in one capital is most likely to spread across entire east african region.
Following Tanzania's elections should surely be unsettling for a country like Kenya. At the same time, our political space is very competitive, we still strive daily for freedom and Liberty, from the government putting pressure on the media to abductions and uncalled-for restrictions, Liberty is surely not secure here either.
Tanzania offers the East African region a mirror, really. We turn to it to see and understand what happens to a country without opposition. President Samia doesn't see herself as a competitor but as a custodian of power.
Across Africa, democracy is slowly backsliding, Military coups have become common in the west of the continent, constitutional manipulations are the order of the day and even civic spaces are becoming narrower in regions like Southern of Africa, it's no surprise that East African youth, especially the Kenyan Gen Z are demanding more as far as transparency, inclusion and accountability is concerned, however much this is positive, without democratic spaces, these demands continue to be suppressed, Tanzania's october elections then, is not only crucial for the country, it's a test to whether East Africa will embrace democracy or fall back to one party rule covered in democratic attires.
Defending Liberty then, is a shared responsibility, Citizens must realize that Liberty is the foundation of dignity, when opposition voices are silenced, so too are calls for better services that Citizens surely deserve, ruling parties too must embrace competition, opposition figures must not be viewed as a threat, history teaches that governments that shut rivals often lose trust that is needed for a country's stability. Civil society, religious institutions, business leaders, non-governmental organisations, and foreign partners must speak clearly: Liberty is non-negotiable.
As "Bongo" prepares for October 29, the rest of East Africa must pay attention because the message is very immediate: Liberty once lost can only be achieved through struggle. East Africa is clearly at a crossroads. We must ensure that our liberty story doesn't turn out to be a cautionary tale but an example of hope and renewal. The future surely depends on our decisions today; we all have a part to play.
