When opposition is jinxed
Much unlike in the golden years of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who was fondly called ‘Teacher,’ Tanzania now runs a tainted democracy. Criticisms of the country’s recent general election centred on the restriction of opposition players from participating. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the first female leader of the East African nation, won a landslide victory in the October 29 poll that was marred by violent protests, an internet shutdown and a brutal clampdown on protesters. President Hassan was declared winner with nearly 98 percent of the votes to secure a second term. In her victory speech, she said the election was “free and democratic” and accused protesters of being “unpatriotic.” Opposition parties, however, rejected the results, calling the vote a mockery of democracy because serious challengers of Hassan were either in prison or barred from running. International observers voiced concern over lack of transparency and widespread turmoil that reportedly left hundreds of people dea...