The Deputy Chairperson of ACT-Wazalendo for Mainland Tanzania, Isihaka Mchinjita, addressed the public during a rally in Tanga on Saturday, August 17, 2024, stating that the upcoming local government election will be the final test for President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s philosophy of the 4Rs (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and Rebuilding).
Mchinjita made these remarks while concluding a tour of 22 regions by ACT-Wazalendo national leaders, which was recently launched as part of a campaign to register ten million party members within ten months.
President Samia introduced the 4Rs philosophy when Tanzania marked 30 years since the reintroduction of multiparty politics, one year into her presidency, with the aim of achieving political reforms and building an inclusive democracy.
“The local government elections will be the ultimate test for President Samia’s government regarding her proclaimed commitment to the 4Rs,” Mchinjita said. “Whether to strengthen or continue dismantling democracy.”
He also mentioned that ACT-Wazalendo will participate in the upcoming local government elections this year, despite opposition parties and stakeholders’ calls for the elections to be overseen by an Independent Electoral Commission being ignored.
In concluding the first phase of their tour, ACT-Wazalendo highlighted five major issues widely complained about by the public. These include rampant land disputes, threats and bullying by government leaders against citizens, costs of living, complaints about healthcare services, and the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) system.
Alongside this, ACT-Wazalendo strongly condemned the Tanzania Police Force’s use of force to detaining CHADEMA supporters from holding their constitutional right to assemble, and the assault on their top leaders. ACT-Wazalendo has called on opposition parties to unite against the ruling CCM party.
