US urge Tanzania authorities to maintain 'impartiality' during elections process

By Our Staff Reporter, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

The government of the United States of America has called for the Tanzania government and the authorities in charge of managing the forthcoming general elections to maintain absolute impartiality, rule of law and human rights during the electoral process.

The US ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright (L) talking to President John Magufuli after presenting his credentials to the president

In a statement issued here by the US Embassy on Tanzania’s upcoming elections, they support a genuinely free, fair, transparent and peaceful electoral process, before, during and after Election day.

“The conduct of upcoming elections in Tanzania has important consequences not only for Tanzania, but for the entire east Africa region. Tanzania’s history of peaceful multiparty elections stretching back 25 years has made it a model on the continent.”

The statement said that the United States government reaffirms unequivocally that it does not support any specific candidate or party in Tanzania’s upcoming elections and that it supports the democratic process itself.

Tundu Lissu address his supporters in Karatu, Manyara region

Tanzania will hold its highly anticipated elections on October 28 this year to elect union President, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and ward councillors. President John Magufuli, who seeks re-election on the ticket long ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi is facing strong opposition from prominent lawyer and former Member of Parliament, Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA.

“The United States, along with other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during or after the elections.” The US warned, adding that their government will not hesitate to consider consequences for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.

Tanzania authorities have stepped up repression of opposition parties, nongovernmental organizations, and the media ahead of the country’s general elections on October 28, 2020. 

Since mid-June, the government has arrested at least 17 opposition party members and critics of the government, suspended a rights group and cancelled the license of another, and blocked other major rights groups from observing the upcoming elections.

The convoy of Lissu’s running mate, Salum Mwalimu, being tear gassed by the Police in the eastern Ifakara village in Morogoro region

The authorities have also imposed new restrictions on the media, revoking the license of a newspaper affiliated with an opposition member and restricting some news outlets.

The convoy of Tanzanian opposition presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, was on Monday hit with police tear gas in Nyamongo area while on the way to Serengeti, in Mara region, sparking heated confrontation between law enforcers and his Chadema party.

According to Chadema's Serengeti zonal secretary, Jackson Mnyawami, police officers who were in 10 vehicles also fired live bullets causing injury to the opposition supporters and arresting six.

“Our convoy has been subjected to a massive teargas attack by the police in an attempt to block our route heading to our campaign meeting” Lissu said adding that their supporters have equally been beaten and hurt. “Let them bomb us and shoot us, but we shall never back down.” He insisted.

Lissu claim that the Electoral Commission use police force to undermining the democratic process by intimidate him and his party favouring the ruling party that has lost support. “The ruling party has lost support as you can see, therefore the electoral commission is using police to nail us down because they are president’s apointeees.”

A day later, the convoy of Lissu’s running mate, Salum Mwalimu, was teargassed by the Police in the eastern Ifakara village in Morogoro region, ostensibly to disperse throngs of supporters as he tried to greet residents who had gathered for a rally expected to be addressed by an opposition councillorship candidate.

The Director of National Electoral Commission, Charles Mahera, declared that the opposition party are chaotic and will be teargassed by the police because the Inspector General of Police is fed up with their chaos.

The IGP, Simon Sirro, has yesterday categorically warned Tundu Lissu, to abide by the electoral regulation and avoid confronting police officers or else he will be dealt with accordingly. “I categorically warn Tundu Lissu to abide by the regulations and not to confront my officers, short of that he will be dealt with accordingly.” Said IGP.

In a twitter post on September 30 this year, the US ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright said: “I'm concerned by the reports I'm hearing of politically motivated violence and the overall increase in tensions as we get closer to Tanzania's elections. I urge all parties to commit to free, fair, and peaceful elections. As the saying goes: Peace is the fruit of justice.”