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Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan Calls for Internal Consensus in Democratic Future

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 13:07 GMT by The Citizen

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Tanzania’s Democratic Future: “Guided by Consensus, Not External Pressure,” Says President Samia Suluhu Hassan

In a landmark address that has already captured the attention of politicians, civil society groups and observers across the African continent, President Samia Suluhu Hassan reaffirmed that Tanzania’s journey toward deeper democracy will be charted by the nation’s own internal consensus rather than by external demands or interference. The remarks, delivered at a high‑profile conference in Dar es Salaam in early October 2024, came as the country braces for the 2025 presidential election and a series of reforms to strengthen its democratic institutions.

A Call for Internal Unity

“We will not let external forces dictate how Tanzania’s democracy unfolds,” President Samia said. “Our future will be guided by the collective will of Tanzanians – the political parties, the civil society, and every citizen who contributes to our national discourse.” The president’s statement echoes a long‑standing Tanzanian tradition of “mzunguko wa umoja” – a cycle of unity that has, since the 1990s, encouraged dialogue between the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and opposition parties. In recent years, the political landscape has seen a growing influence of new opposition groups, notably the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT‑UNITA) and the Civic United Front (CUF), prompting calls for more inclusive governance.

Samia underscored the importance of “consensus‑building mechanisms” in the constitution, including the role of the National Assembly in shaping reforms. “The Constitution calls for a consultative process where every voice is heard,” she noted. “Our democratic evolution must remain a Tanzanian story, written by Tanzanians for Tanzanians.”

The 2025 Election and Electoral Reform

The president’s remarks come at a pivotal time. The 2025 presidential election, scheduled for December 2025, will be the first major electoral exercise under the new electoral framework adopted by the Tanzania Electoral Commission (TEC) in 2023. The TEC’s recent press release, linked in the article, outlines the introduction of a voter education campaign, biometric voter registration, and a robust monitoring system to ensure transparency.

According to the TEC, the new system will also increase the minimum age of candidacy from 35 to 30, in order to “invite fresh perspectives” into the political arena. “We are not simply maintaining the status quo,” the commission said. “We are opening the gates for younger leaders to step into the democratic process.” Samia highlighted that the reform is “a reflection of consensus” between the ruling party and opposition groups, who collectively agreed on the changes during a series of national dialogues in 2022.

External Pressure and Sovereignty

A key theme of the president’s speech was the need to resist external pressure that could jeopardise national sovereignty. The article linked to an official statement from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which had previously urged Tanzania to strengthen judicial independence and protect civil liberties. While Samia acknowledged the UN’s concerns, she emphasised that Tanzania must “balance international expectations with domestic priorities.”

The United Nations message itself is part of a broader international trend in which Western governments and international donors push for reforms that align with global standards for democracy. In Tanzania’s case, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have tied part of their financial assistance to the strengthening of democratic institutions, an arrangement that has been viewed by some Tanzanian politicians as a form of external influence. Samia’s insistence on consensus is therefore seen as a counter‑argument to what she perceives as “conditional assistance” that could undermine the country’s autonomy.

Civil Society’s Response

The article also reported on reactions from civil society groups. The Tanzanian Forum for Peace and Human Rights (TAPHR) released a statement praising President Samia’s stance, saying it “reinforces the notion that our democracy is a Tanzanian affair.” However, the group also urged the government to accelerate reforms in press freedom and to ensure that independent media can operate without undue government interference.

Similarly, the Alliance for Democratic Governance (ADG), an opposition coalition, welcomed the president’s commitment to consensus. “We are encouraged to see a leader who is willing to engage across the political spectrum,” said ADG’s spokesperson, Mr. David Mzimba. “The challenge now is to translate these words into tangible actions that promote transparency and accountability.”

Historical Context

The article’s background section traced Tanzania’s democratic trajectory from the era of President Julius Nyerere to the more recent “republicanism” of the CCM, which has been the dominant party for over five decades. A link to a historical overview by the Institute for Democracy in Africa (IDA) contextualised Samia’s remarks, illustrating how the nation has balanced continuity with necessary reform. The IDA’s analysis points out that Tanzania’s “one‑party dominance” has at times stifled opposition voices, but the political environment has gradually evolved, with a growing expectation for power sharing.

Looking Ahead

In closing, President Samia highlighted the country’s commitment to “good governance, rule of law, and anti‑corruption measures” as essential pillars for Tanzania’s democratic future. She reaffirmed that the upcoming 2025 election would serve as a litmus test for the nation’s commitment to democratic principles. “It is an opportunity to showcase that our democracy can thrive on our own terms,” she said.

The article’s comprehensive coverage, supplemented by linked documents from the TEC, the United Nations, the IMF, and civil society groups, paints a picture of a nation at a crossroads. While the government stresses an internal consensus model, the influence of international donors, the pressure of democratic expectations, and the growing voice of the opposition will all play roles in shaping the next chapter of Tanzania’s political story.

In a continent where external pressures often shape internal politics, President Samia’s message – that the Tanzanian path to democracy will be guided by consensus, not external pressure – is both a declaration of sovereignty and a challenge to her own political system to deliver on that promise. The next few years will reveal how effectively Tanzania can translate this vision into action, and whether the nation’s democratic experiment can thrive in an era of both global scrutiny and domestic aspiration.