The Inside Story Podcast What's behind the violence in Tanzania?
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Nov 1, 2025 Tito Magoti, an independent Tanzanian human rights lawyer and activist, discusses the dire state of human rights amidst ongoing repression. Nicodemus Minde, a researcher specializing in East African governance, reveals how electoral injustices fuel protests. Fergus Kell, a political analyst, critiques the implausible election results and emphasizes the need for a new constitution. Together, they explore the intense public anger, the legacy of past leadership, and the persistent demands for justice in a nation grappling with oppression and unrest.
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Grievances Built Over Years
- Long-term institutional capture and repeated electoral injustices fuelled the unrest in Tanzania.
- Citizens erupted because grievances accumulated from years of repression and lack of credible political choice.
Numbers Mask Democratic Decline
- Electoral numbers hide a lack of real choice due to institutional controls and a dominant party system.
- The near-unanimous reported result reflects removal of competition, not popular consensus.
Constitution Drives Power Imbalance
- The constitution concentrates power in the presidency, enabling weak checks and reinforcing authoritarian tendencies.
- Structural change, especially constitutional reform, is central to addressing deeper governance failures.