Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has been sworn in for his second term as president — taking an oath for a final five-year term.
Magufuli delivered his inauguration speech at Jamhuri Stadium on Thursday in nation’s capital, Dodoma.
During his address, he thanked Tanzanians for their support: “Elections have passed now it’s time to work, my administration will continue the fight against corruption, creating employment opportunities as well as continued work on building major projects.” He added: “My government will also continue to protect national resources, animals, poverty and other challenges facing Tanzanians.”
Leaders of Tanzania’s two main opposition parties, ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA, were arrested and charged with organizing unlawful assembly and demonstration.
The Panel calls on the Tanzania government to immediately release other opposition leaders being held for unspecified reasons, including:
— Tanzania Elections Watch (@WatchTanzania) November 3, 2020
1.Freeman Mbowe
2.Godbless Lema
3.Nassor Ahmed Mazrui
4.Boniface Jacob
5.Salome Makamba#TanzaniaElectionsWatch pic.twitter.com/vGuK7uQVoA
Magufuli’s administration banned opposition political gatherings in 2016, the year after he took office, essentially making the illegal to run a legitimate campaign for office.
Tundu Lissu of the Chadema opposition party rejected the election result and called for peaceful protests and action.
“The results that have been announced since yesterday and that the electoral commission continues to announce today, therefore, are illegitimate results. They do not constitute, they do not express the true will of the Tanzanian people,” Lissu said.
But Tanzanians MUST remain peaceful and mobilise better. The fight will see women and children suffer the most.
— Robert ALAI (@RobertAlai) October 30, 2020
TZ elections can't be contested in any court and remember Magufuli withdrew from AU and EAC courts pre-election.
Best for Tundu Lissu, Prof Seif etc to plan afresh
As he continues to divide the country, Magufuli’s swearing-in ceremony confirmed that the country’s allies remain firmly on his side.
Several African leaders attended the inauguration ceremony, including Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Comoros’s President Azali Assoumani and Burundi’s Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni.
“After the independence most African leaders failed to build their nation because of selfishness, but Tanzania under Mwalimu Nyerere played crucial role for [the] reunification of Africa. It’s time now to focus on economic aspects,” said Museveni.
Congratulations to @MagufuliJP on his re-election victory as the President of Tanzania.
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) October 31, 2020
I know that through increased trade and cooperation between our two nations, both of our peoples will prosper.