Tanzania’s opposition faces mixed outlook

Significance

Samia met Lissu on February 14 and Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe on March 4, immediately after authorities dropped terrorism-related charges against Mbowe.

Impacts

• Despite lacking concrete outcomes, the meetings have restored Chadema’s status as a legitimate political interlocutor.
• The opposition’s demands may never be realised fully, but the developments should buy them time to regroup and rebuild.
• Samia’s shift may make it harder for the opposition to win over undecided voters, who may now see less reason to support change.