In a rare show of democracy in recent years, thousands of members and supporters of the opposition Chadema marched to the United Nations (UN) offices in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday in protest at proposed changes to electoral laws.

“We have submitted a letter to the UN System Coordinator in Tanzania and we expect the same will be submitted to the UN Secretary-General in New York,” Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe told journalists shortly after leaving the UN country offices.

He said it was Chadema’s expectation that the contents of the letter would be divulged to all other countries that have diplomatic relations with Tanzania so that they could understand the depth of the party’s grievances.

Upon receiving a response from the UN Secretary-General, Chadema will inform the public through the media.

“Our message is the same as what we have always been advocating,” Mr Mbowe said.

Chadema vice chairman (Tanzania Mainland) Tundu Lissu said the call for a new constitution was not new in Tanzania’s politics.

“We have been demanding a new constitution and an independent electoral commission for 30 years now. We will continue to demonstrate until our grievances are heard and addressed,” he said.

The party’s message, which was echoed on placards carried by Chadema leaders, including Mr Mbowe himself, Mr Godbless Lema, Mr Zacharia Obadia, Mr Benson Kigaila and Mr Hashim Juma, demanded that the government withdraw electoral law review bills that were tabled in Parliament last year, address the soaring cost of living and ensure independent oversight of this year’s local government elections.

A crucial element of their demand was the call for a new constitution that would take into consideration the people’s voices.

Wednesday’s demonstrations marked a new dawn in Tanzania’s democratisation process.

Demonstrations and political rallies were expressly banned in Tanzania during the reign of Dr John Magufuli, who died in office on March 17, 2021.

But in January, last year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who came into office on March 19, 2021, lifted the six-year ban on political rallies imposed by Dr Magufuli. The lifting of the ban was in line with her 4R’s (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding) initiative.

As such, the Opposition, which has been holding public rallies since the ban was lifted, staged the demonstrations in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

While in the past members of the Police Force would try to thwart such political activities, the situation was different on Wednesday as Tanzanians witnessed a contingent of law enforcers flanking opposition supporters as they marched through the streets of Dar es Salaam in a peaceful demonstration during which they also demanded transparency and fairness in the forthcoming elections.

Clad in their signature party colours, one group of demonstrators began their march from Buguruni, while another started off from the Magufuli Bus Terminal on the other side of the city.

The two groups met at Shekilango from where they proceeded to the UN offices.

While Mr Mbowe led the group that started off from Buguruni, the Magufuli Bus Terminal group was led by Mr Lissu.

With security guaranteed, Mr Mbowe was himself accompanied by his three children in the demonstrations and the four arrived at Buguruni at around 10.30am.

Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Jumanne Muliro was present during the demonstrations and said the presence of the law enforcers was meant to ensure that the democratic exercise was conducted peacefully.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that you voice your demands without infringing on other people’s rights,” he said, adding that the Police Force would soon release its assessment of the demonstrations.

Mr Mbowe, who spent several months behind bars during the Magufuli era, said the proposed changes to electoral laws did not address concerns over the 2020 General Election, which CCM won by a landslide amid opposition claims of fraud.

Chadema has been campaigning for constitutional reforms and greater independence for the electoral commission to be included in the proposed legislation to be debated by Parliament next month.

Mr Mbowe described the proposals as “cosmetic” and Chadema is especially opposed to the proposal that the Head of State be authorised to directly appoint five of the reconstituted electoral commission’s ten members.

He emphasised the importance of dialogue alongside peaceful protests, saying, “We haven’t rejected a roundtable discussion. We want to talk while we demonstrate.”

The presence of police officers underscored the delicate balance between upholding the right to protest and maintaining public order.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Godbless Lema commended the cooperation extended by the police and praised the maturity of the demonstrators.

He added that the demonstration was not just about Chadema, but also the future of Tanzania.

“We are protesting for the next generation,” Mr Lema said amid chants of “Punguza gharama za maisha!” (lower the cost of living!) and “Haki ya Katiba!” (right to a new constitution!).