Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lifted a ban on political rallies, six-and-a-half years after her predecessor John Magufuli imposed the measure which induced frequent run-ins between opposition leaders and the police.
Below the coverage, which got here into drive in 2016, elected politicians have been allowed to conduct rallies of their constituencies however different political rallies or protests have been banned.
“I’m right here to declare that the ban on political rallies has been lifted. It’s the proper of political events to carry rallies however all of us have tasks,” Hassan instructed leaders of Tanzania’s 19 registered political events throughout a gathering at her workplace within the capital Dar es Salaam.
“Simply inform us because the legal guidelines require. Safety organs will consider your requests. If there may be any menace, they will not permit you however for the step we’re in proper now they may positively will let you conduct your rallies.”
Hassan, who got here to workplace after Magufuli died in March 2021, stated her determination to raise the ban was a part of her technique of Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding the nation, dubbed 4Rs.
She has lifted a ban on 4 newspapers and through a go to to Brussels final yr she met Tundu Lissu, an exiled opposition chief.
Opposition events and civil rights teams had criticized Magufuli’s ban, which resulted in frequent arrests of political figures and clashes between their supporters and the police.
Freeman Mbowe, the pinnacle of Tanzania’s main opposition celebration CHADEMA, was arrested in July 2021.
He was charged with terrorism however prosecutors dropped the case in March 2022 and he met Hassan hours after his launch.
