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Tanzania: President Samia’s reforms excite opposition, but face ruling party pushback

By Erick Kabendera

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Posted on February 6, 2023 17:56

© Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan inspects a guard of honour mounted by the Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces after she was sworn into office at State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania March 19, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan inspects a guard of honour mounted by the Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces after she was sworn into office at State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania March 19, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

Key Tanzanian opposition leaders are willing to bank on President Samia Suluhu Hassan to deliver political and constitutional reforms, heralding a new democratic dispensation. However, the powerful intelligence services, which had been a ‘private army’ for former president John Magufuli, stand in her way, as well as her own political party.

Opposition parties are cautiously welcoming President Samia’s plans to steer the reforms that have eluded the country since independence.

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