One-Woman Presidential Race Looms in Tanzania as Opposition Is Sidestepped

Tanzania’s 2025 election is shaping into a one-woman race as President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces little to no opposition after rival politicians are barred or detained, raising concerns over democratic credibility (image source)

DAR ES SALAAM – Tanzania’s presidential contest has collapsed into what analysts describe as a near-guaranteed victory for incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, after key opposition figures were disqualified or detained and major parties failed to mount an alternative, leaving the race effectively a one-woman contest ahead of the 29 October 2025 election.

Samia, the first woman to lead Tanzania, was formally nominated by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) earlier this year and has since consolidated power through tight control of the electoral environment and suppression of opposition mobilisation. Critics say the election has been reduced to a symbolic exercise, with the outcome all but assured before voters head to the polls. “The campaign has been reduced to affirming the incumbent rather than offering a genuine choice,” said a Nairobi-based political analyst.

The narrowing of competition follows the arrest of leading opposition figures on charges ranging from incitement to treason, and the exclusion of CHADEMA, the largest opposition party, on what many contend were selectively enforced technicalities. Independent monitors have also noted restricted access to rallies, limits on public gatherings, and the detention of senior party organizers — actions that have sharply reduced political contestation.

Public reaction remains divided. In rural areas, where the ruling party’s development message resonates, Samia continues to draw strong support. Urban critics and civil society groups, however, warn that excluding legitimate rivals undermines democratic legitimacy and risks fuelling future instability if grievances are not fairly addressed.

Regional and international observers are monitoring the situation closely. Diplomats have privately expressed concerns that an uncontested path to victory could damage Tanzania’s reputation as a stable democracy and raise questions about the credibility of the electoral system.

As campaigning enters its final stretch, CCM is focused on voter turnout and reinforcing its message of continuity and economic stability. Opposition-aligned voices, where they can still speak freely, continue calling for electoral reforms and constitutional safeguards to restore trust in democratic processes. Analysts warn that even a decisive win will leave pressing questions about representation, accountability, and the future of political competition in Tanzania.