“There Is No Democracy Left”: Samia Faces Backlash as Zanzibar Heads to the Polls

Zanzibar shimmered in ruling party colours on Friday as President Samia Suluhu Hassan held her final rally before next week’s election. The island pulsed with chants of “Mama Samia!” and waves of green and yellow, yet behind the show of power and anger simmered. Many Tanzanians now say the upcoming vote is nothing more than a performance – one without democracy, competition or choice.

More than 50 billboards bearing Samia’s image lined the road from the airport, celebrating her slogan “Work and Humanity.” But to opposition supporters, the spectacle was a painful reminder of their exclusion. “There is no democracy left,” said businessman Suleimani Issa Ali in Stone Town. “All the real opposition leaders are blocked. The election is already decided.”

That frustration has been growing for weeks. The main opposition party, Chadema, was disqualified after refusing to sign an electoral “code of conduct” it called unfair. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, is facing treason charges instead of campaigning. Human rights groups argue that the remaining 17 candidates are placeholders, leaving Samia effectively unopposed. Amnesty International warned of a “wave of fear” and “systematic human rights violations” ahead of the polls.

Ironically, Samia entered office in 2021 with promises of reform after the death of former president John Magufuli. She eased restrictions on media and reached out to the opposition, earning praise at home and abroad. But as her grip on power tightened, so did state control. Critics accuse her of turning Tanzania back toward authoritarianism.

At her Zanzibar rally, police flooded the grounds while a helicopter hovered overhead carrying her portrait. Accredited AFP journalists were turned away, a symbolic moment for many who see freedom of expression fading fast.

Still, her supporters remain loyal. “She’s a hardworking leader,” said tuktuk driver Issam. “People just don’t like seeing a strong woman in power.”

Early voting begins Tuesday, but for many Zanzibaris, hope in the ballot has faded. “Why vote?” one taxi driver asked. “It changes nothing.”

As Zanzibar braces for election day, one haunting phrase echoes through its streets – “There is no democracy left.”