Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.

Tanzania’s Main Opposition Party CHADEMA Warns Rape and Sexual Harassment Are Being Used as Weapons of Political Repression

Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has warned that rape and sexual harassment are being used as weapons of political repression in the country, urging stakeholders joint action to end the trend.

The warning was issued during a joint meeting of CHADEMA’s regional chairpersons, held online on January 16, 2026. The party remains unable to convene physically due to a court order issued on June 10, 2025, which imposed restrictions on party activities.

“There is an issue that is not talked about enough, and through this statement, we Regional Chairpersons, are asking that it be made public so it can be discussed and action taken. Rape and sexual harassment as political weapons: the meeting of chairpersons has identified and strongly condemned the use of rape and sexual abuse as political weapons employed by state security organs,” William Mungai, Chairperson of CHADEMA in the Iringa region, read the statement on behalf of other leaders.

The regional chairperson meeting is part of activities by the party ahead of its 33 years commemoration on January 21. In the meeting the leaders affirmed  party’s post-election position, in which CHADEMA declared the October 29 election illegitimate. According to the statement, regional chairpersons said witness accounts indicate that the alleged incidents are taking place inside police stations, in bushes, and in secret safe houses. Read the full article here.

CCM Spokespersons Take On Activist Over Election Protest Killings Reaction, Criticize Judge Warioba for Speaking Openly

The ruling party’s Ideology, Publicity, and Training Secretary, Kenani Kihongosi, on Saturday, January 17, 2025, hit back at activists and also commented on remarks made by one of the country’s most respected elders, Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba, following reactions to the October 29 protest, the security crackdown, and the killings of citizens.

Responding to a journalist’s first question on the party’s view of Judge Warioba’s comments, Kihongosi did not hold back in expressing the party’s dissatisfaction with the remarks.

“And our Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which is a party of all Tanzanians, does not discuss individuals. We discuss issues and fundamental matters. Therefore, regarding our elder, Elder Warioba, what we can say—or what I can say as the party spokesperson—is this: first, we respect him; but secondly, he should retire properly, just as other retirees have retired properly,” Kihongosi said.

Kihongosi questioned why Warioba spoke to the press immediately after visiting the State House, a visit during which several photos were shared by the State House, even though it was unclear what issues were discussed or the nature of the visit. Read the full article here.

Parliament Mourns the Death of Special Seats MP Halima Idd Nassor

The Speaker of the National Assembly has announced the death of Special Seats Member of Parliament Halima Idd Nassor, who passed away at the age of 45. Her death marks the second loss of a Member of Parliament in the 13th Parliament, following the passing of Jenista Mhagama on December 11, 2025.

Nassor died at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam in the early hours of January 18, 2025. She was laid to rest later the same day at the Kibada burial ground.

In a condolence message issued by State House, President Samia Suluhu Hassan described Nassor as a dedicated leader who made significant contributions to the nation and her political party, particularly through her advocacy for workers’ rights.

Members of her party have also expressed their condolences on social media, many noting her short but impactful service as a Member of Parliament since her swearing-in on November 11, 2025.

According to her brother, Nassor Idd Nassor, she had been diagnosed with a minor heart condition that deteriorated suddenly overnight. He explained that she experienced difficulty breathing and passed away at around 1:00 a.m. on January 18. She is survived by her husband and three children—two daughters and a son.

As her family, party, and Parliament mourn her passing, growing social divisions have also come to light, particularly on social media. Some individuals have shared celebratory or insensitive messages following the tragedy, a trend that has been observed recently and continues to grow, whenever a tragedy befalls leaders. Several leaders have strongly condemned the trend as inappropriate and unacceptable.

‘Flawed Process’: ACT Wazalendo Takes Electoral Commission to Court Over Special Seat Allocation

Following a High Court ruling on December 30, 2025, that granted the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) leave to proceed with a judicial review, the party has now filed a substantive application asking the court to quash the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to exclude it from the allocation of 115 special seats for women following the October 29, 2025 General Election. 

The party is also seeking an order to compel the commission to re-allocate the seats in accordance with the law, arguing that INEC’s actions undermine the principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.

The case, scheduled for its first mention on January 19, 2026, puts the spotlight on the integrity of Tanzania’s electoral processes. It comes amidst growing international concern over the country’s democratic trajectory. 

Both the African Union and the European Parliament have recently highlighted serious issues with the 2025 elections, including a lack of independence for the electoral commission and a crackdown on opposition parties.

At the heart of ACT Wazalendo’s legal challenge is the contention that INEC fundamentally misinterpreted and misapplied Article 78 of the Constitution, which governs the allocation of special seats. The party claims it won 2,222,162 votes, representing 6.77 per cent of the nationwide parliamentary vote, surpassing the five per cent threshold required for an allocation. 

This should have entitled the party to a minimum of five seats out of the 115 announced by INEC on November 7, 2025. Instead, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party was awarded 113 seats, whilst a smaller opposition party, Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMMA), received two. ACT Wazalendo received none. Read the full article here.

This is it for today, and we hope you enjoyed our briefing. Please consider subscribing to our newsletter (see left), following us on X (Twitter) (here), or you can support us (here). And if you have any questions or comments, please drop a word to our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.