Dar es Salaam-Stakeholders from civil society organizations have called for the implementation of the Commonwealth recommendations aimed at resolving Tanzania’s political crisis. Speaking on Thursday, July 16, 2026, civil society members supported the proposal, including the recommendation to find a neutral mediator to help resolve the crisis.
“Membership in the Commonwealth is not just a social matter; it is also an economic one. There are principles and commitments that we agreed to under the Commonwealth Charter, and they should be adhered to,” Rosemary Mwakitwange, a member of the civil society loose coalition Tanzania Governance Multi-Stakeholders Group (TG-MSG), said during the press conference.
“We, the Tanzania Governance-MSG (TG-MSG), together with other stakeholders in democracy and good governance in Tanzania, endorse the Commonwealth’s resolution,” she added.
In the concluding statement of the 73rd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), held virtually on July 10, 2026, the group recommended that:
“Within 30 days: resolve the detention of Tundu Lissu through a political and legal pathway, and release others held solely for the peaceful exercise of rights. Within 60 days: restore full access to digital platforms and cease intimidation of media and free-expression advocates.”
CMAG also recommended: “Within 90 days: convene a credible, inclusive inter-party forum with neutral facilitation, with a mandate covering electoral-framework reform, political competition, detainees and accountability.”
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“Initiate, without delay, the independent criminal investigation recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, including such issues as victim compensation, with defined eligibility, funding, and timelines.”
Mediation
Expounding on the recommendations during their press conference, members of the TG-MSG recalled the historical context in which Tanzania used its Commonwealth membership as a platform to pressure the international community over human rights violations in South Africa during the apartheid era.
“The Commonwealth, through its recommendations, proposes measures to be implemented that would bring all of us together. We all agree that we need to be united. The government itself has been talking about the need for reconciliation,” Professor Azaveli Lwaitama noted.
“Because even recently we have seen what happened in Zanzibar [signing of reconciliation agreement]. In fact, the adoption of the Zanzibar Constitution, which led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), was initially made possible with the assistance of the Commonwealth,” he added.
In their recommendations, the civil society members proposed the establishment of a national mediation forum involving individuals considered trustworthy. Among those suggested as potential mediators were former Vice President Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba, Professor Anna Tibaijuka, and respected religious leaders.
At the international level, some of the names suggested include former Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and former South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr. Naledi Pandor.
The proposal aligns with calls from Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, which has maintained that future efforts should involve international stakeholders due to what it describes as a lack of trust in the ruling party.
In its statement on July 11, 2026, the second-largest opposition party in the country, ACT Wazalendo, welcomed the Commonwealth statement and maintained that Tanzania needs healing, but healing cannot be built on silence or impunity.
“ACT Wazalendo reiterates its firm position that any genuine reconciliation process in the United Republic of Tanzania must be preceded by truth, justice and accountability. Reconciliation cannot be used as a political shortcut to silence victims, avoid responsibility, or move forward without establishing what happened and who must be held accountable,” the party noted.
The civil society members cautioned the government against relying on short-term measures such as the use of force and lobbyist, and instead called for investment in permanent solutions to address the country’s challenges.
“There have also been efforts by the government, or those in power, to use international lobbyists and image consultants as a short-term strategy by leaders to clean up their image before major powers and international institutions,” Bubelwa Kaiza renowned policy expert argued.
“There are international lobbyists. For example, we have information about a company called BGR Group, which was awarded a contract in June. They were given a USD 3 million contract to help improve the image of Tanzania’s leaders, speak positively about them, and carry out lobbying activities,” he added.
Most of the lobbying groups highlighted are focused on influencing Washington, another firm mentioned was Ervin Graves Strategy Group, which was reportedly awarded a two-year contract worth more than one million dollars.
“This is a shortcut and unacceptable strategy because it does not restore Tanzania to good governance, democracy, and reconciliation. It also appears to be a sign of disrespect toward Tanzanian citizens, that they are trying to clean up their image through international lobbyists and image consultants,” he said.
Further actions
Since the release of the Commonwealth statement, the Tanzanian government has yet to directly respond. However, on July 13, 2026, President Samia Suluhu, while addressing the Tanzania Public Bar Association, cautioned that there is a global trend of using human rights as a pretext to oppress developing nations, especially in Africa.
“As our developing countries move forward, some people are looking for ways and means to pull us back so that we do not progress at the pace we intend,” explains President Samia.
“We are witnessing countries undermining one another. We are seeing young people being deceived and poisoned with negative narratives against their own countries, and being influenced to sabotage economies that have been built through tremendous efforts. There is also a growing trend of convincing young people that their governments, especially African governments, do not uphold or are violating human rights,” she continued to explain.
President Samia also tasked lawyers with deliberating on mechanisms to safeguard the country’s sovereignty against international developments.
The Commonwealth statement noted that an extraordinary session is scheduled for September 2026, during which Tanzania has been invited to submit a progress report on implementing the recommendations, and the meeting for Commonwealth response is set for November 2026.
“At its meeting in November 2026, CMAG will consider further action in the absence of the expected progress,” the CMAG statement noted.
