Tanzania’s New Parliament Convenes Amid Political and Social Turmoil
As Tanzania moves forward from its most traumatic general election in the country’s 64 years of independence, the newly elected National Assembly is set to hold its inaugural session in Dodoma on November 11. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to deliver a State of the Union address during this event, marking a significant moment for the nation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) was still compiling the full results of the parliamentary polls by Thursday, but preliminary data from the constituencies indicate that the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is likely to secure at least 95 percent of the seats in the House. This dominance highlights the continued political strength of the ruling party, even as it faces challenges from opposition groups.
Among the opposition parties, ACT-Wazalendo reportedly won six of the 222 Mainland constituencies, while Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (Chaumma) secured one seat. These results suggest a weak and ineffective presence for the opposition, similar to their performance in the previous parliament.
The Inec had not yet announced results in the special seats category, where an additional 50 seats were up for grabs by press time. In the 2020 election, CCM captured 75.65 percent of the MP slots, with Chadema securing 17.46 percent and ACT-Wazalendo taking 3.2 percent. Only one of Chadema’s 20 seats was won at the constituency level, with the remaining 19 being special seats.
On November 1, Inec declared that Samia, the incumbent president, had won the presidential election with 97.66 percent of the vote. This victory came just three days after the October 29 vote, which was followed by a five-day nationwide internet shutdown amid widespread youth-led protests. These protests were fueled by claims of a heavily manipulated electoral process, as noted by multiple credible observers.
Samia was sworn in on November 3, and it was only after internet access and freedom of movement were restored on the same day that Tanzanians and other residents began to fully understand the extent of infrastructural damage caused by the demonstrations and the retaliatory violence from law enforcement authorities.
So far, the police and hospitals have not released any official numbers regarding the casualties from the brutal crackdown, which is believed to have resulted in hundreds or even thousands of deaths and injuries. This is based on overwhelming video evidence that quickly circulated online and witness accounts.
The state-run Commission on Human Rights and Good Governance (Chragg) announced on Thursday that it would launch a full-scale investigation into all events surrounding the election and subsequent unrest. “It is clear that there were huge losses of life and property, and we have the responsibility to advise the government on how to prevent this from happening again in future elections,” said Chragg chairperson, retired judge Mathew Mwaimu, on national television.
Before delivering her speech to a shaken nation, the new parliament will elect a Speaker and endorse the president’s choice of a new Prime Minister. The name of the PM will remain confidential until it is delivered to the House at the last minute, following a long-standing tradition in Tanzania.
Outgoing Speaker Tulia Ackson is expected to be re-elected without much difficulty, despite a challenge from her former deputy Mussa Azan Zungu, who has also submitted candidacy forms for the same position.
The premiership, however, presents a more complex situation. Kassim Majaliwa, the former Prime Minister, surprised many by deciding not to seek re-election as the MP for Ruangwa constituency this year and instead retiring from active politics. According to the constitution, the PM must be a sitting member of parliament, as they are responsible for leading government business in the House.
The individual chosen for this role will play a crucial part in President Samia’s efforts to restore national and international confidence in her administration, especially given the controversial nature of her election victory. Therefore, the selection of the PM is likely to reflect her current priorities and vision for the country’s future.
Potential candidates for the position include Bukombe MP Dotto Biteko, who served as deputy premier under Majaliwa and could provide a sense of continuity, and newly elected Arusha MP Paul Makonda, who is believed to be a favorite of Samia but has a controversial political history. Former ministers Angellah Kairuki and Dorothy Gwajima have also been mentioned as possible contenders.
At least 60 percent of CCM legislators are newcomers, some of whom benefited from an unprecedented vetting process within the party that prioritized loyalty to President Samia. Several prominent figures, including former foreign minister January Makamba, were removed from the party due to this process.
In the recent election, only one minister from Samia’s previous Cabinet, Jerry Silaa, who held the ICT portfolio, was ousted from his Ukonga seat by ACT Wazalendo’s Bakari Shingo.