LABOUR Economists and Afrikan Democrats president Linda Masarira has condemned African heads of State for attending the inauguration of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, saying the move is an endorsement of a sham election held by the East African country.
It is estimated that hundreds were killed in clashes between Tanzanians and the country’s security forces over the election, where some opposition leaders were barred from participating.
“The Sadc Election Observation Mission itself documented grave irregularities that undermined the credibility of the Tanzanian election, ranging from suppression of opposition campaigns and intimidation of voters to restriction freedoms of assembly and expression,” Masarira said.
“These findings alone should have been sufficient reason for regional leaders to withhold their participation as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Tanzania and with democratic principles.”
She accused Sadc leaders’ “collective silence” in the face of injustice, which “erodes the moral authority of the regional bloc and betrays the liberation ideals upon which our region was founded”.
“Africa deserves leaders who speak truth to power, not those who gather to celebrate power consolidation while citizens bleed for democracy and human dignity.”
According to Masarira, the mother and home of liberation movements has tragically become a zone of oppression, where political loyalty outweighs the sanctity of life.
“It is unacceptable that leaders who claim Pan-African solidarity refuse to call each other to order when human rights are violated and elections reduced to rituals of legitimising incumbents,” she said.
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Masarira called on the Sadc to urgently reflect on its founding principles and restore integrity to its institutions.
Opposition politician Nelson Chamisa this week launched a scathing attack on Sadc and the African Union for failing to address the continent's escalating crisis of disputed elections and military coups.
