KajyibwamiNotes

  The 2025 electoral cycle in Tanzania serves as a crucial example of the decline of democratic norms, the weakening of institutional protections, and the gap between domestic laws and regional as well as international human rights standards. The events happening from April through the October general elections show a move away from constitutional principles and raise important legal questions about protecting political rights, ensuring access to justice, and maintaining electoral integrity. The October elections were preceded by a climate marked by arrests, legal restrictions, and institutional decisions that undermined the preconditions for a free and fair vote. The arrest of Tundu Lissu, leader of the main opposition party CHADEMA, on treason charges after calling for electoral reforms signaled the beginning of a broader suppression of political dissent. His proposed reforms—including the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), judicial review...

  Elections are meant to be the heartbeat of democracy. They are the moments when citizens voice their choices, when constitutions come to life, and when leaders are held accountable. But in parts of Africa today, this heartbeat sometimes weakens. Voting becomes less about choosing and more about survival, and constitutions—intended to protect fairness—can seem like fragile sheets of paper confronting entrenched power.   Two recent cases bring this stark reality into focus: Tanzania and Cameroon. Both countries held elections that were supposed to be milestones of democracy—but instead exposed deep fractures in their constitutional and political systems. Meanwhile, youths in both countries make up the majority of the population, but their voices are not heard, as it was seen in their mass demonstrations.   Tanzania: The Price of a “Free and Democratic” Election   On election day in Tanzania, President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the overwhelming ...