The Inside Story Podcast What's behind the violence in Tanzania?
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.