Former Chief Secretary to the Government, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, has called for responsible exercise of the right to demonstrate, saying lawful protests are an important part of citizens’ freedom of expression but must be conducted without violating the rights of others.
Ambassador Sefue said demonstrations are recognised under Tanzania’s Constitution, national laws, and international agreements, stressing that the right comes with the responsibility to ensure peace, safety and respect for fellow citizens.
Speaking to Mwananchi Digital, he said demonstrations fall within the broader right to freedom of expression, but only those carried out peacefully and in line with legal procedures deserve protection.
“Demonstrations are a basic right under our Constitution, our laws, and regional and international agreements. They fall under freedom of expression. The challenge in many countries is that people fail to differentiate between demonstrations that express views and those that turn into violence,” Sefue said.
He said citizens have the right to present their views through demonstrations, but that freedom should not be used in a way that disrupts other people’s livelihoods or creates fear among members of the public.
Sefue cited examples such as forcing businesses to close or threatening people as actions that go beyond the limits of lawful protest.
“If someone demonstrates in a way that forces my shop to close, that is not lawful. Likewise, carrying something in a way that makes another person afraid is not acceptable,” he said.
The former government official also highlighted the importance of organisers notifying the police before holding demonstrations, saying the procedure helps authorities provide guidance on security arrangements, routes and other measures necessary to protect both protesters and the public.
According to Sefue, cooperation between organisers and security authorities can help ensure that citizens exercise their constitutional rights while maintaining public order.
His remarks come as discussions continue in Tanzania and other countries on how to balance the right to peaceful assembly with the need to protect public safety, property and the freedoms of all citizens.
