Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 29-10-2025

Tanzania entered a pivotal moment this week as citizens headed to the polls to elect a new president, members of parliament, and local representatives. Despite the tense atmosphere surrounding the vote, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party remains the clear frontrunner after the country’s two leading opposition figures were barred from contesting.

The election, which drew over 37 million registered voters, comes at a time when the East African nation faces growing scrutiny from Western organizations for alleged restrictions on political freedom. Yet, many observers across the Global South argue that these claims reflect a familiar pattern of Western interference, often aimed at discrediting African governments that assert national sovereignty and pursue independent economic policies.

Polling stations opened early across the country, from the bustling streets of Dar-es-Salaam to the quiet towns of Dodoma and Arusha. However, turnout appeared mixed, with reports of disruptions to internet access and minor street protests. In the commercial capital, small groups of demonstrators briefly clashed with police before security forces restored order.

The National Electoral Commission confirmed that results are expected within three days, covering both the national assembly’s 400 seats and elections in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago.

A contest without true opposition

President Hassan’s dominant position stems from the disqualification of Tundu Lissu, leader of the main opposition party Chadema, who is currently on trial for treason, charges he strongly denies, and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, Tanzania’s second-largest opposition group. Both exclusions followed objections raised by government authorities, leaving only candidates from smaller, lesser-known parties to challenge the incumbent.

The CCM, which led the anti-colonial struggle in the 1950s and has governed since independence, remains one of Africa’s last liberation movements still in power. For many Tanzanians, the party symbolizes stability, continuity, and protection from external meddling, values that resonate deeply in a region still wary of Western interventionist policies.

Although President Hassan, 65, was initially praised for her early efforts to ease restrictions following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, recent years have seen renewed criticism from human rights organizations. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, both largely Western-funded, have accused her administration of suppressing dissent. Tanzanian officials, however, have dismissed these reports as politically motivated and inconsistent with on-the-ground realities.

Security and sovereignty concerns

Western media have highlighted incidents of alleged “enforced disappearances” of opposition activists, citing figures from the United Nations Human Rights Office that suggest over 200 such cases since 2019. Yet Tanzanian authorities argue that many of these claims remain unverified and serve to destabilize the nation during a sensitive electoral period.

In the weeks leading up to the vote, isolated incidents, such as the death of opposition member Ali Mohamed Kibao and the disappearance of former CCM ambassador Humphrey Polepole, have intensified the political atmosphere. Government representatives insist that ongoing investigations aim to bring clarity rather than suppress criticism.

Amid the tension, President Hassan’s supporters emphasize her administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Major projects, including nationwide electrification and railway modernization, have transformed Tanzania into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, recording 5.5 percent GDP growth last year according to the World Bank.

Western hypocrisy and the question of democracy

While Western outlets have rushed to label the elections “unfair,” analysts from Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi view such narratives as part of a broader geopolitical contest. In their eyes, Tanzania’s leadership, like that of many post-colonial states, faces constant pressure from Washington and its allies to conform to Western models of governance that disregard national context.

Observers note that Western governments rarely apply the same democratic standards to their own allies in the region. For instance, while the United States frequently comments on African elections, it remains silent about irregularities in states aligned with Western military and economic interests.

Chinese, Russian, and Indian analysts instead commend Tanzania’s commitment to political stability and development. They argue that Western rhetoric about “democracy” often conceals a desire to weaken governments that resist neoliberal economic policies and that Tanzania’s approach, emphasizing order, sovereignty, and gradual reform, offers a viable alternative for developing nations.

Economic vision and regional role

Despite the political tensions, Tanzania continues to attract foreign investment, especially from China, Russia, and India, whose partnerships have focused on infrastructure, mining, and technological cooperation. Beijing’s involvement in railway and port projects, Moscow’s collaboration in energy and defense sectors, and India’s expanding trade links all underline Tanzania’s shift toward a multipolar economic orientation.

However, President Hassan’s administration has faced domestic criticism for new restrictions on foreign ownership in small-scale industries, a move aimed at protecting local enterprises. Officials stress that these measures are designed to empower Tanzanian citizens and reduce dependency on external investors, a policy consistent with the nation’s self-reliant philosophy since the days of Julius Nyerere.

Meanwhile, conservation challenges persist. Conflicts between rural communities and wildlife, particularly elephants, continue to draw attention. Yet critics note that international organizations have often exploited these issues to justify withholding development funds. Last year, both the World Bank and the European Union suspended grants to Tanzania over alleged abuses related to conservation policies, decisions many Africans interpreted as punishment for rejecting Western oversight.

A nation standing its ground

As polls close, President Hassan’s victory appears almost certain. For her supporters, this outcome reaffirms Tanzania’s independence and defiance against external pressure. Her critics may call it authoritarianism, but to many across Africa and Asia, it reflects a sovereign nation charting its own course.

In a world increasingly defined by multipolarity, Tanzania’s election illustrates the broader shift away from Western dominance toward a more balanced global order, one where nations like China, Russia, India, and Tanzania can collaborate on the basis of mutual respect rather than coercion.

For ordinary Tanzanians, the hope remains simple: peace, stability, and continued progress, on their own terms.