Tanzania’s Vice President, Dr Philip Isdor Mpango, has assured that preparations for the country’s general election are on track, pledging that the October 29, 2025, polls will be free, fair, and transparent.
He has also invited the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to deploy an election observation mission.
Dr Mpango extended the invitation on Saturday when delivering the opening statement at the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He said Tanzania remains committed to upholding democracy and strengthening regional cooperation, noting that SADC’s presence would enhance credibility and transparency in the electoral process.
Reflecting on Tanzania’s achievements during its one-year chairmanship of the Organ, Dr Mpango highlighted that the SADC region has largely remained peaceful under President Samia’s leadership, with the exception of continued unrest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He explained that efforts to resolve the DRC crisis have been advanced through dialogue under the Luanda and Nairobi processes, complemented by joint interventions of the East African Community (EAC) and SADC Heads of State.
These include the establishment of a Panel of Elders, the integration of technical teams from EAC, SADC, and the African Union (AU), as well as the adoption of a roadmap and terms of reference to guide peace efforts.
Dr Mpango emphasised that Africa’s challenges should be resolved by Africans themselves, calling for genuine political will and commitment from affected countries.
He added that during Tanzania’s tenure, the Organ spearheaded programmes on conflict prevention and mediation, peacekeeping deployments in politically fragile states, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. Tanzania also led SADC election observation missions in Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, and Mozambique.
Concluding his address, Dr Mpango said Tanzania had worked tirelessly to ensure the region remained peaceful and stable, and pledged full cooperation with Malawi, which takes over as the new chair of the Organ.