Tuesday 1 March 2011

FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Tanzania

By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala
DAR ES SALAAM, March 1 (Reuters) - Tanzania's government is under growing pressure as economic hardships, corruption allegations and calls for constitutional reforms continue to dominate politics in east Africa's second largest economy.
The main opposition party, Chadema, which uses "people power" as one of its popular political slogans, has threatened to organise nationwide demonstrations for change.
Opposition leaders have given President Jakaya Kikwete an ultimatum to fix the economy, tackle large-scale bribery and deliver a new constitution or face mass protests.
Kikwete, who was re-elected in an Oct. 31 vote marred by a record low turnout and accusations of rigging, has dismissed opposition's demands and accuses it of trying to destabilise the country.
Since the start of the year, the 60-year-old moderate Muslim has had to deal with widening rifts within the ruling party and government.
Here are some risk factors to watch out for:

TUNISIA COPYCATS
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Feb. 24 when Chadema held a peaceful demonstration in the second-largest city, Mwanza. Opposition leaders have threatened to organise demonstrations modelled on protests in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
Police shot dead at least two protesters in the northern town of Arusha on Jan. 5. Kikwete's main rival in the elections, Willibrod Slaa, and several Chadema lawmakers were detained by police and charged with unlawful assembly in the incident. Chadema leaders spoke of a deliberate crackdown.Read More

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