How Tanzania’s ex-envoy is turning into President Samia’s firebrand critic
Polepole, who relinquished his Havana posting that also covered Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Central America, says he has gone into hiding, citing fears for his safety.
Humphrey Polepole, Tanzania's recently resigned ambassador to Cuba, has launched an extraordinary broadside against President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, warning that October's elections are already decided.
"There will be no free and fair elections this year. There are none," Polepole declared in a video message.
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"This year there will be no elections. It is CCM against the parties that it has organised with the authorities. CCM is entering the elections on its own. Why should we talk about there being elections when in fact it is a sham? Anyone who loves Tanzania will know there will be no elections this year."
Polepole, who relinquished his Havana posting that also covered Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Central America, says he has gone into hiding, citing fears for his safety.
"I live in secret because it is no secret that they are looking for me a lot and I ask them why are you looking for me? We gained independence in 1961, and the union in 1964 so that we can be free. Am I a thug? Am I not allowed to speak about my country?"
In his parting shot, he urged citizens to resist: "All Tanzanians stand up, speak loudly and stop this election until we all have a national conversation. I have played my part. Now play yours."
The timing is combustible. Tanzania heads to the polls in October, but opposition politics is already tightly constrained.
CHADEMA's leader, Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges and has been barred from contesting the presidency.
Rights groups warn that the narrowing of political space risks returning Tanzania to the authoritarian habits of earlier decades, even as the ruling CCM insists stability requires discipline.
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