Ahead of this year’s October general elections, Tanzania’s ruling party has nominated Samia Suluhu Hassan as its presidential candidate.
“I urge all to maintain our unity as we go to the elections. The polls can seriously divide us but I believe we will remain united now that we have candidates”, Samia said to the people.
After John Magufuli’s untimely death in 2021, the 64-year-old assumed office. Magufuli was accused of stifling dissent and restricting certain freedoms.
She was first praised for lifting the limitations Magufuli which had been placed on the media and opposition.
But since then, Western governments and rights organizations have condemned what they see as a resurgence of opposition repression.
A number of opposition leaders have been kidnapped and killed, and politicians from the main opposition Chadema party have been arrested.
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Meanwhile, the Chadema party has not yet chosen a presidential candidate.
The party threatened to boycott elections in 2024 if electoral reforms were not implemented.
But Hassan’s party has consistently disregarded that long-standing request.
