Johnnie Carson on Tanzania upcoming elections!

Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south; and the Indian Ocean to the east. It has an estimated population of 51 million (2015) according to the CIA Factbook , and has been regarded among the most democratic government on the African continent. In fact, this year mark the 20th anniversary for the country to adopt multiparty democratic elections . It is with this fact that Johnnie Carson highlights the gravity and pertinence of the upcoming elections(the presidency and members of parliament) next month, as the country still facing economic hardship and high profile financial scandals. In brief, they are two main runners of the presidential seat. John Pombe Magufuli , the former minister of Works and Roads, who is representing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and his rival Edward Lowassa, former prime minister, who is representing the united opposition parties — Chadema, the NCCR - Megeuzi, the United Democratic Party (UDP) ,and the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP). Despite the monopolization of the presidency for the past 20 years by CCM party, in the past 5 years, we have seen a conspicuous decline in influence of the CCM party while the opposition parties have gained some momentum mainly due to their ability to influence young voters who are frustrated by the inability of the CCM party to deliver on the promises they have made. Another main concern of the elections that Carson raises, it the possibility of post election violence since the election race is really close and the presence of small organized militias by the three major parties. To conclude, we should all look forward to the elections in Tanzania, hoping the outcome will be welcomed without violence.

Below is the map of Tanzania and its neighboring countries

By Tim Byukusenge
Source article : Tanzania Gears up for its Closet ever Elections by Johnnie Carson