The Tanzania Council of Political Parties has said that the country's national reconciliation process should be led by the government, arguing that it is the institution with the constitutional mandate to oversee such efforts while safeguarding the broader interests of the nation.
Speaking to journalists in Morogoro after the council's leadership elections, Council Chairperson Juma Ali Khatibu said reconciliation should bring together all stakeholders to strengthen national unity, democracy, and cooperation.
Khatibu, who also serves as the national chairperson of the ADA-TADEA party, said reconciliation cannot be directed by individuals outside Tanzania or by those without governmental authority.
He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for initiating the reconciliation agenda, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening national cohesion.
He urged Tanzanians to remain united and embrace constructive politics that promote national development rather than divisions among citizens.
Khatibu also cautioned politicians against using reconciliation as a political tool for personal or party gain.
Instead, he said, the process should focus on promoting clean politics, good governance, cooperation, and expanding democratic space in the country.
Beyond reconciliation, he said the Council intends to identify development projects and provide recommendations to the government on initiatives that could increase national revenue and improve the welfare of citizens.
Addressing the ban on public political rallies, Khatibu said the Council plans to advise the government to review the restriction, arguing that it has unfairly affected political parties that have not violated any laws.
He said Tanzania has 19 registered political parties, and disciplinary measures should target only parties or individuals found to have broken the law rather than imposing blanket restrictions on all parties.
"If a political party or an individual violates the law or is involved in acts that could lead to violence, the responsible party should be held accountable. Other political parties that have committed no wrongdoing should not be punished," Khatibu said.
During the elections, delegates re-elected Khatibu as Council Chairperson for another two-year term after he secured 30 out of 31 votes, with one ballot declared invalid.
John Mongella, Deputy Secretary-General of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) for Mainland Tanzania, was also re-elected as the Council's Vice Chairperson after receiving 30 affirmative votes out of 31, with one vote cast against him.
Council member and UDP Secretary-General Saum Rashid said strengthening democracy is essential to preserving peace and stability in the country.
"As a woman leader, I urge Tanzanians to continue safeguarding the peace and stability of our country. We should resolve our challenges through dialogue among ourselves and reach consensus," Rashid said.
Meanwhile, Said Sudi Said, national chairperson of the Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP), said Tanzanians are capable of resolving their own political challenges without relying on external actors.
He cited the country's founding president, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, as an example of African-led conflict resolution, noting his role in mediating disputes across several African nations.
