Kongamano La Mageuzi lauds Tanzanian youth for protests against authoritarianism
On Thursday, Tanzanian government instructed public servants to work from home in a bid to limit the movement of non-essential staff.
Kongamano La Mageuzi, a civic movement advocating for democratic space, on Friday praised Tanzanians for organising protests against President Samia Suluhu’s administration.
Speaking in Nairobi, the group, led by spokesperson Oyoo Sungu, commended Tanzanian youth for rising against what they described as the greatest electoral fraud in the continent’s history.
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“As far as we know, there’s no election happening in Tanzania. It’s therefore ridiculous for President Samia Suluhu Hassan to claim she’s competing against worthy opponents,” said Oyoo.
Oyoo expressed confidence in the youth, saying they had shown their commitment to defending democratic ideals by rejecting what he called a “sham” election.
“We stand in solidarity with the Tanzanian youth who are protesting. We are ready to offer any necessary support to help them defend their country from impunity,” he added.
The group also condemned the Tanzanian government’s decision to shut down the internet and suppress dissent.
They spoke in Nairobi as protests entered their third day following a disputed election.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in response to a controversial vote marred by chaos, confusion, and a communications blackout.
After protests erupted on Wednesday, the government shut down internet access, imposed a curfew, and deployed the military to the streets.
The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, in power since independence in 1961, sought to extend its rule in Wednesday’s election, with presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties barred from contesting.
President Samia faced 16 candidates from smaller parties, most of whom barely campaigned.
Voter turnout was low, and violence broke out in the afternoon as protesters burned a bus and a petrol station, attacked police stations, and vandalised polling centres.
According to Amnesty International, two people, a civilian and a police officer, were killed during Wednesday’s protests. The government has yet to comment on the casualties.
Authorities imposed a curfew on Wednesday evening in Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital and epicentre of the unrest, but demonstrations continued late into the night.
On Thursday, the government instructed public servants to work from home in a bid to limit the movement of non-essential staff.
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