JF Summary
Senior Member
- Jul 3, 2015
- 163
- 108
Thabo Mbeki Foundation: Tanzania has no Legitimate Government after the General Election, insists on open dialogue
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation has issued a statement expressing deep regret that Tanzania's October 29, 2025, general election did not meet democratic principles. This follows observations by SADC and the AU that the election was neither free nor fair, and that the presidential and parliamentary results announced by INEC did not reflect the will of the Tanzanian people. The Foundation concluded that the current regime was installed through a combination of force and fraud.The statement offered condolences to those who lost loved ones and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured, stating that this situation leaves Tanzania without a government recognized as legitimate.
Furthermore, the institution has urged Tanzania to initiate a national, open, independent, and inclusive dialogue, believing this is the only way to bring about true healing. The nation must collectively answer two critical questions: What went wrong? And what must be done to return this beloved country to the right path? It also emphasized the importance of fulfilling this duty for the sake of the citizens, the late Julius Nyerere, and as an example to fellow Africans across the continent.
Public Opinion:
Many citizens have said the Thabo Mbeki Foundation's statement aligns with the views of the majority of Tanzanians regarding issues that were being opposed. They call for changes, the cessation of specific actions, and improvements to establish the foundations of justice, accountability, freedom, and true democracy in the country.
Others have stated that the torture, deaths, and oppression that occurred during the election cannot be forgotten without measures for justice and accountability being taken. They emphasize that they do not recognize the current government, demanding that the process for a New Constitution begin and that another free and fair election be held.
Additionally, others have highlighted the importance of international institutions continuing to pressure for accountability, as this may be the only way to achieve genuine accountability and restore peace in the country.
Lawyer defending 93 treason suspects in Mwanza dies suddenly
Lawyer Beatus Linda, who was defending 93 suspects arrested during the election period in Mwanza region, has died suddenly shortly after complaining of leg and stomach pain.A few days before his death, he and his colleagues from the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) had filed an objection in court to block the Republic's request to amend the charge sheet to add charges of armed robbery and malicious damage to property against the accused.
Public Opinion:
Many have expressed their grief and described Lawyer Linda as a hero for defending citizens fighting for justice, who were evidently given trumped-up charges in the government's effort to evade accountability for the killings that took place during the election. They say his death is a blow to the community and human rights defenders, amid rumors that his death was caused by poisoning.
DPP drops charges against 104 treason suspects in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza
The Resident Magistrate's Court of Kisutu in Dar es Salaam and the Ilemela District Court in Mwanza have released a total of 104 treason suspects arrested following the post-election violence of October 29, after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed a nolle prosequi (intention not to proceed with prosecution).
In Dar es Salaam, 47 out of 48 suspects had their charges dropped by Principal Resident Magistrate, Ushindi Swalo, while in Mwanza, 57 suspects in case number 26641/2025 were released at the Buswelu Integrated Justice Centre before Principal Resident Magistrate, Stella Kiama.
Public Opinion:
Many have said these citizens were framed by the government so that the killers could escape accountability. Therefore, they argue it is fair to say the government has done nothing worthy of praise or celebration regarding the release, as the citizens should not have been arrested in the first place.
Others have said this is a government tactic to appear compassionate and caring towards its citizens by creating a problem and then solving it to look good, describing it as a misuse of public resources and delaying citizens from attending to essential matters.
Mwigulu: Commission of Inquiry is in Tanzanians' Interest, Resurrection and Life Church to be reopened, Independence Celebrations cancelled
Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has said the infrastructure damage that occurred during and after the election should serve as a lesson to the nation, emphasizing that this infrastructure is the result of taxes and citizens' sacrifices, not the government's property.
During a tour in Dar es Salaam on November 24, he warned that burning or demolishing public property is equivalent to destroying the citizens' own property and that the country's resources will be protected at any cost.
Additionally, he announced that President Samia has ordered that Independence Day celebrations will not be held this year and that the funds allocated to them should be used to repair infrastructure damaged during the election.
In his speech, Dr. Mwigulu also emphasized the importance of the commission of inquiry regarding events during and after the election, noting that it was formed in the national interest and is full of "elders with respect and great experience."
He urged the community to cooperate with the commission by providing evidence and information to help uncover the truth. Meanwhile, he ordered the Minister of Home Affairs to reopen Bishop Josephat Gwajima's Resurrection and Life Church (Kanisa la Ufufuo na Uzima), placing it under six months of observation, stating that the mistake of one institution should not lead to the banning of all institutions. He also ordered that other institutions that had issues be given six months of observation. For other religious institutions, Mwigulu ordered that they be written to and reminded of work ethics and regulations.
Public Opinion:
Many have questioned why Bishop Gwajima is being "forgiven"—what crime did he commit? Is advising the government on national matters now a crime warranting the closure of all his churches? Furthermore, if the case is in court, what authority does the Prime Minister have to intervene and order the churches reopened? They add that this is a tactic the government uses: creating a problem and later solving it to appear benevolent.
On the other hand, citizens have urged Gwajima to remain in hiding, saying the government is using the reopening of his churches as a trap to kidnap him and make him disappear. Worse still, they fear they might kill him, citing the example of how the former Ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole, was kidnapped.
Additionally, others have stated that the country has not yet achieved independence, so there is no need for celebrations on December 9. Instead, they suggest that the day should be the actual day of liberation for Tanganyika, when citizens come out to protest and return the country to Tanganyikans.
Clouds TV Presenter: Msigwa's compliments to local Journalists don't concern me, let's stop the hypocrisy!
During the 'Power Breakfast' program, Clouds presenters discussed the praise given by the Chief Government Spokesperson on November 23, 2025, to journalists for their adherence to ethics and professionalism in not reporting on the killings that occurred during the election.Sam Sasali said those congratulations do not concern him, as many did not report those events out of fear. He stated that he personally did not report due to "Trauma" caused by the station's previous ban on broadcasting for a specific period. He said that if he weren't afraid of the station being banned again, or if he were outside the country, he would have reported those events openly, joking, "I would have put a satellite up there" to capture them clearly.
Public Opinion:
Many citizens have said Sam's statement shows that even journalists are tired of the government's interference with press freedom and its blocking of citizens' right to information. However, they do not speak out due to fear of losing their jobs, being kidnapped, killed, or having their media houses banned, leaving them with no choice but to remain silent or join the government in oppressing the citizens.
