Tanzania’s political debate continues as opposition leader Freeman Mbowe has stated that the country is still far from achieving true democratic governance, noting that the journey remains long and full of challenges.

Speaking about the current political environment, Mbowe highlighted ongoing concerns about political freedoms, the space for opposition parties, and the strength of democratic institutions.

He argued that although Tanzania operates under a multiparty system, meaningful competition and full democratic participation are still limited in practice.

The article places these remarks within the broader context of Tanzania’s political history, where the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has remained in power since independence in 1961.Critics argue that this long dominance has influenced the political environment in ways that restrict opposition growth and reduce accountability.

During the late President John Magufuli’s administration, political space was widely seen as shrinking, with restrictions on opposition rallies, media pressure, and increased tension between the government and civil society groups.

Since President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office in 2021, there have been some early signs of political openness, including lifting bans on opposition rallies and encouraging dialogue with political actors.However, opposition leaders like Mbowe argue that these steps have not yet resulted in deep or lasting reforms.

Mbowe himself previously faced detention in 2021 on terrorism-related charges that were later dropped, an episode that raised concerns among observers about political justice and fairness.

The article also notes continued calls from civil society groups for electoral reforms, stronger constitutional protections, and greater media independence to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.

International partners are also closely watching Tanzania’s governance situation, linking democratic progress to broader cooperation and development support.

Overall, Mbowe’s message reflects the view that Tanzania’s democratic consolidation is still a work in progress requiring sustained reforms and commitment from both government and society.