Tanzania‘s Post-Election Crackdown Raises fears for Democratic Progress Across Africa
DAR ES SALAAM – A wave of killings, detentions, and disappearances following Tanzania’s 2025 election is prompting international concern and casting a shadow over the continent’s projected economic growth, according to observers and rights groups. The escalating repression serves as a stark warning of how quickly democratic gains can be reversed in Africa,jeopardizing the stability needed to realize the aspiring vision of an “African century.”
The post-election habitat has been marked by a severe crackdown on opposition figures and citizens, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the commitment of Tanzanian authorities to upholding human rights.This instability coincides with broader regional tensions, including accusations leveled against Rwanda and Uganda for supporting armed proxies, fueling conflicts driven by mineral wealth and control of trade routes – conflicts that undermine the very foundations necessary for sustained development.
The African Development Bank and other institutions have championed Africa’s potential for critically important economic advancement. However, this progress is threatened by the erosion of governance and democratic principles, necessitating decisive international intervention.The UN Human Rights Council is being urged to launch an autonomous inquiry into the alleged abuses occurring in Tanzania.
Moreover, calls are mounting for the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to hold Tanzania accountable and reinforce democratic commitments outlined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Analysts emphasize that genuine prosperity requires liberty, and Africa’s burgeoning youth population deserves the basic rights to free speech, assembly, and participation in the electoral process.The continent’s ability to leverage it’s resources and technological advancements hinges on safeguarding the dignity and lives of its citizens.
The situation in Tanzania is not isolated, reflecting a wider struggle for democracy across Africa. As long as the voices of the oppressed are ignored, the promise of a thriving African future remains unfulfilled, and leaders prioritize maintaining power over respecting the democratic will of the people.
