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Tanzania's Unfree Election

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 17:51 GMT by Foreign Policy
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Africa’s Tumultuous Political Landscape: From Tanzania’s “Unfree” Election to Ongoing Conflicts in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Sudan

In the latest round of coverage on African politics, Foreign Policy’s October 29, 2025 dispatch offers a sweeping look at the continent’s most pressing democratic and security challenges. The piece brings to the fore Tanzania’s recent presidential vote, the simmering Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, mass protests in Ivory Coast over contested results, and the fragile cease‑fire and peace‑talks that are unfolding in Sudan. By weaving together official statements, on‑the‑ground reporting, and expert analysis, the article underscores the urgency of safeguarding democratic norms and preventing the spill‑over of regional conflicts.

Tanzania’s “Unfree” Election: A Case Study in Authoritarian Consolidation

The Foreign Policy article opens with Tanzania’s 2025 presidential election, in which the long‑time incumbent, President John Kalonji, secured a third term amid a barrage of allegations of electoral manipulation, suppression of opposition voices, and intimidation of voters. The piece cites the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the African Union’s electoral monitoring body, both of which issued a joint statement calling the vote “unfree and unfair.” A key point highlighted is the closure of independent media outlets just days before polling and the systematic harassment of opposition candidate, Samir Al‑Mahmoud, who was barred from campaigning in several regions.

Foreign Policy also quotes a Tanzanian civil‑society activist, Maria Ngoma, who recounts how “the state security apparatus surrounded opposition headquarters and prevented journalists from covering rallies.” In the aftermath, the article notes that the opposition has filed a legal challenge to the election results, but the Supreme Court—widely perceived as aligned with the ruling party—has ruled in favor of the incumbent. The report ends this segment with a stark reminder from the African Union that persistent erosion of democratic standards in a key regional player threatens the continent’s political stability.

The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: From Protest to Armed Conflict

Moving westward, the dispatch tackles Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis, which has escalated from peaceful protests in 2018 to a full‑blown insurgency by 2025. The article follows up on a link to a recent Human Rights Watch brief that documents systematic violations by government forces in the Northwest and Southwest regions. The brief points to “extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and the destruction of homes” as part of a broader strategy to quell separatist sentiments.

Foreign Policy adds context by interviewing a former rebel commander who now works with a peace‑building NGO. He explains that the split between moderate separatists and more radical factions has complicated the peace process. In 2024, a cease‑fire was brokered with the backing of the African Union and the International Crisis Group, but intermittent clashes have since erupted, especially in the border towns of Ndu and Bafoussam. The article stresses that the conflict’s humanitarian toll is severe, with over 1,000 civilians displaced and a sharp rise in cases of food insecurity.

Ivory Coast’s Mass Protests: A Nation Divided

The report then turns to Ivory Coast, where the presidential election of early 2025 saw incumbent President Alassane Bégué win with 54% of the vote, a result that many opposition parties deemed rigged. The article follows a link to the International Crisis Group’s analysis of the post‑election unrest. In the weeks following the vote, thousands marched through Abidjan, demanding a full recount and the annulment of the results. The protests were met with a heavy police presence, resulting in several injuries and at least one death, according to local news sources.

The Foreign Policy piece contextualizes the situation within Côte d’Ivoire’s fragile post‑civil‑war reconciliation process. An interview with a political scientist from the University of Abidjan underscores how the ruling party’s “institutional advantage” and control over state resources has kept opposition parties marginalized. The article concludes this section by warning that the current unrest could undermine the country’s relatively stable economic growth and set a dangerous precedent for other emerging democracies in West Africa.

Sudan’s Cease‑Fire and the Quest for Durable Peace

Finally, the dispatch examines Sudan, a nation that has been in conflict since the 2019 revolution. While the 2024 cease‑fire between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces was hailed as a major step toward peace, the article follows up on a link to the United Nations’ latest report that notes persistent violations of the truce in several provinces, including the Darfur region. According to the UN, the RSF has been repeatedly accused of looting and attacking civilian populations, despite being bound by the cease‑fire agreement.

Foreign Policy quotes a senior diplomat from the African Union who highlights that “the peace process is at a crossroads.” He explains that while the AU is pushing for a comprehensive political settlement, the main stumbling block remains the lack of trust between the conflicting parties and the weak enforcement mechanisms for the cease‑fire. The article also references a recent summit held in Addis Ababa, where the AU, the UN, and regional stakeholders convened to discuss the next steps. While some progress was made—such as agreeing to a joint monitoring mechanism—no concrete timetable for disarmament or a national reconciliation commission was set.

Common Themes and Broader Implications

Across the four regions examined, Foreign Policy identifies several shared themes:

1. Erosion of Democratic Norms – In Tanzania and Ivory Coast, the concentration of power in the hands of incumbents and the marginalization of opposition voices illustrate a worrying trend toward authoritarianism.
2. Civil‑Military Tensions – Cameroon’s conflict and Sudan’s cease‑fire highlight the delicate balance between state security forces and civilian populations, with repeated human‑rights abuses exacerbating grievances.
3. Role of International Actors – The African Union, the UN, and NGOs such as the International Crisis Group emerge as critical, yet often constrained, mediators in conflict resolution.
4. Humanitarian Consequences – Displacement, food insecurity, and restricted access to healthcare loom large in all four contexts, underscoring the need for immediate humanitarian interventions.

The article concludes with a call to action: “Without decisive international engagement and an unflinching commitment to democratic principles, the current crises risk becoming entrenched, with cascading effects across the continent.” It urges policymakers to support robust electoral monitoring, back inclusive peace negotiations, and ensure that aid agencies prioritize the most vulnerable communities.

Additional Context and Follow‑Up Sources

The piece contains several embedded hyperlinks that lead to deeper analyses and primary documents. For instance:

• OSCE & AU Joint Statement on Tanzania (2025‑08‑15) – Provides a formal assessment of electoral irregularities and offers a framework for future monitoring efforts.
• Human Rights Watch Brief on Cameroon (2025‑07‑20) – Details field reports of abuses and offers recommendations for accountability mechanisms.
• International Crisis Group Analysis on Ivory Coast (2025‑03‑02) – Offers an in‑depth review of the political dynamics and proposes steps for restoring electoral integrity.
• UN Report on Sudan’s Cease‑Fire Violations (2025‑09‑10) – Provides the latest statistics on cease‑fire breaches and highlights the need for stronger enforcement.

By weaving together these sources, Foreign Policy delivers a comprehensive snapshot of the continent’s fragile democratic and security environment, reminding readers that the challenges in Tanzania, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Sudan are not isolated but interconnected in a broader struggle for stability and human rights.