Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has sharply criticised the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) for what he described as their inadequate response to the escalating political crisis in Tanzania.
Chamisa called on the regional and continental bodies to move beyond mere observation and take concrete steps to resolve the turmoil following last week’s controversial presidential election, during which reports indicate that hundreds of opposition supporters and activists were killed.
According to multiple sources, around 700 people lost their lives protesting the election, which saw incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan face minimal opposition after key opposition figures were jailed or disqualified from contesting.
In a statement on Monday, Chamisa stressed that it is insufficient for SADC to simply acknowledge electoral irregularities without establishing mechanisms to address them.
“While we recognise the SEOM report and the notable observations it contains, it is vital to strengthen institutions, mechanisms, and legal avenues that provide redress and ensure proper implementation of recommendations to resolve electoral disputes,” Chamisa said.
He added that a clear framework is needed for resolving disputes in countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Tanzania to prevent the recurrence of contested elections and political instability.
Chamisa also criticised the AU for routinely endorsing flawed elections, accusing it of legitimising authoritarian regimes rather than defending democratic principles.
“The African Union has increasingly failed to protect democracy. It has become a platform that endorses illegitimacy, oppression, and the marginalisation of African citizens,” he said.
Expressing solidarity with detained Tanzanian opposition leaders, Chamisa called for their immediate release and urged SADC to reform itself to better address contemporary political crises.
“We urge the release of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and other political prisoners, and stress the urgent need for a political solution to address the concerns of Tanzanian citizens. SADC must be revitalised to respond effectively to the region’s evolving challenges,” he said.
Reflecting on his own experiences with contested elections in Zimbabwe in 2018 and 2023, Chamisa implied that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had benefitted from flawed electoral processes.
CCC senior leader Senator Jameson Timba encouraged Tanzanian opposition leaders to maintain lawful pressure to demand accountability and reform.
“Opposition and civil society in Tanzania must continue lawful, disciplined advocacy until full reform and accountability are achieved. Pausing now will only empower repression,” Timba warned.
Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in yesterday, with noticeably few regional leaders in attendance. Zimbabwe sent Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, while other countries dispatched lower-level delegations.
International human rights organisations have widely condemned Tanzania’s election and the violence that followed.
ALSO READ : Johannesburg High Court Interdicts Operation Dudula From Targeting Foreign Nationals
