Chadema members murdered as Tanzania faces election violence

On November 26, 2024, two members of the Tanzanian opposition party Chadema were reported killed just before local elections. George Juma Mohamed was shot dead by police after a confrontation with ruling party supporters at his home in Mkese, in central Tanzania. Officials stated that the police were called in to control a clash between Chadema and supporters of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. Additionally, Steven Chalamila, a local party leader, was killed in a machete attack in Tunduma, near the border with Zambia. Chadema condemned these murders and demanded that law enforcement take immediate action against the perpetrators. In its statement, Chadema also accused the authorities of rigging the elections, claiming that there were irregularities in at least seven constituencies. The party alleged that its agents encountered pre-marked ballots favoring CCM candidates, but when they tried to report these irregularities, they were arrested by police, highlighting a significant concern regarding the integrity of the election process. The party demanded an explanation from the local government ministry, TAMISEMI, regarding the discovered pre-marked ballots. As polling stations prepared to close at 1400 GMT on the day of elections, reports indicated that about 31 million Tanzanians were eligible to vote for more than 80,000 street and village leaders. The deaths of the opposition members raised alarms not only for Chadema but also for democratic processes in Tanzania, as this situation could impact public perception and voter turnout. The context was further complicated by the previous arrests of several opposition politicians and rising tensions within the political landscape of the nation. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office after the death of John Magufuli in 2021, initially received praise for lifting some restrictions imposed on opposition parties and the media. However, in the lead-up to the election, there has been increased scrutiny from rights groups and governments regarding what many see as a resurgence of repressive tactics against the opposition, including abductions and killings. The outcome of these local elections is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future political atmosphere ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 2025, as local leaders often serve as key strategists and campaigners during general elections. The apparent violence prior to the elections poses serious implications for democratic practices in Tanzania and the well-being of opposition figures in the country.