Who will resolve the issues in Tanzania? Can we still work for Maridhiano?

Dark clouds still loom over Tanzania. It’s been three days since the general elections, which should be declared invalid, since most people were not able to exercise their right to vote for the leader they wanted, either because they wanted reforms or because of the disruptions that caused low voter turnout and eroded citizens’ trust in the ballot.

The question now is, what will happen to Tanzania? Who will step up to resolve these issues?  I have found no clear answers in the current constitution for who can bring a resolution to the present situation. Moreover, many people have lost faith and trust in the government and its institutions, yet we need the government and these institutions to step in and bring a peaceful and constitutional resolution. Here lies the paradox. Nani atamfunga paka kengele? Protesters hope the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces will step in and bring order. However, statements from the Chief of Defence Forces do not seem to inspire this hope much longer, although people’s accounts indicate the military has mostly been protecting protesters in the street. A military government, even in the interim, could set a bad precedent. I am not a constitutional law scholar, but I still believe a political solution is most sensible and absolutely possible. However, for this solution to be effective, deliberate efforts must be made to rebuild trust. There cannot be window dressing or saying things without meaning them. Tanzanians are tired of rhetoric without action, and if anything, these ongoing demonstrations are proof. Superficial words will be like pouring a cup of water on a seething volcano. The people need more. The people deserve more.

The first thing the government must do to regain a semblance of goodwill is to declare the 2025 general elections for the United Republic of Tanzania null and void, and to release all the political prisoners immediately – Lissu, Heche, and everyone they have arrested. Bring back Soka, Polepole and everyone that’s been abducted, or tell the people the truth about these abductions. And while you are at this, please stop jamming the internet and let the people speak freely. The people deserve a voice.

Cancelling the 2025 elections, until everyone agrees on reforms, is, simply, a sensible thing to do. So many things happened on October 29^th and 30^th that make it impossible to trust the results. In some places, even the voters who were willing to vote were not able to, because the polling stations closed early, or protests erupted, and the polling stations closed. For those who voted, the chain of custody for the ballots cannot be established. Online, we have seen reports of protestors burning or tearing up ballot papers. Furthermore, there are too many reported irregularities that would mar any results published, especially in mainland Tanzania.

Cancelling the elections is something that has never been done before, and again, the law is not very clear about the steps to take when an election is cancelled or declared illegitimate. When the constitution is not crystal clear, I hope we can still return to the tradition of “maridhiano”, talking and hashing things out among ourselves to bring a resolution. I say, a national dialogue is needed and long overdue, but it is important to ensure that the voices of dissent, and those of young people, are centred in this maridhiano. The people also need to hear from the people they trust. Wise and beloved leaders who have spoken for the people time and time again are needed now more than ever.

The next thing the government must do, as they work towards maridhiano, is apologise.  Although I understand the people’s anger and frustration, I still do not see a resolution that doesn’t involve President Samia. This might be the lack of imagination on my part, or simply pragmatism, but I think she is crucial to a peaceful solution. However, she will need to come out, speak and listen to the people.  The ruling elite have been living in their own bubble, ignoring the voices of the citizens and acting like they are entitled to everything. I have watched this unfold during the campaigns. The government had turned a deaf ear and even ridiculed citizens for asking or demanding their rights.

I do not have access to people in power, but if I were Mwalimu Nyerere, Bishop Desmond Tutu, or Martti Ahtisaari, I would tell Mama Samia to apologise to the people and listen to their grievances sooner rather than later. I would also tell her to detach herself from mafisadi immediately. Many things pushed Tanzanians to the brink, but corruption is at the heart of it. People were tired of seeing their country being plundered by cronies. The one thing that would make anyone fall out of favour fast is corruption. Tanzanians do not like ufisadi.   I think a genuine apology and effort to listen to the people will go a long way.

Because there is such an erosion of trust, transparency is needed now more than ever. Let the East African Community, the African Union and the United Nations in. Open the doors to international journalists and human rights activists who have been banned from the country during elections. Let the people speak and let it be with transparency. We must air this wound if we want healing.

Despite all the issues, this is the time for top leadership, perhaps even the incumbent President Samia herself, to show leadership and bring people to the table. It is only through dialogue that solutions can be found. Perhaps, collectively, we will decide to have an interim coalition government or a dedicated task force for electoral and constitutional reforms. Perhaps, in a year, we can try again, fairer and more freely.

Tanzanians love their country. They do not wish for it to burn. But emotions are heightened now, and they do not trust their government or institutions.  Although praying seems futile today, I still hope and pray that there are leaders who will bring “maridhiano.” But ultimately, it is only true and inclusive reforms that will save the country in the long run.