The Tanzania Appellate Court has quashed the High Court’s decision barring the opposition party Chadema from engaging in political activities.

The decision, which restores the party’s right to operate, was delivered on April 15, 2026, by a three-judge bench comprising Augustine Mwarija, Issa Maige, and Abraham Mwampashi.

The landmark ruling arose from review proceedings initiated by the Court of Appeal in relation to a dispute over the claims of unequal distribution of the party’s resources between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar

The case was petitioned at the High Court in Dar es Salaam by Chadema’s former deputy chairman, Said Issa Mohamed, alongside two members of the party’s Board of Trustees from Zanzibar, Ahmed Rashid Khamis and Maulida Anna Komu.

The respondents were the party’s duly registered Board of Trustees and its Secretary General.

The petitioner stated that there was an imbalance in the distribution of party assets and financial resources between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania, contrary to the Political Parties Act and the party’s constitution.

They subsequently filed an interlocutory application seeking a temporary injunction to restrain the respondents from engaging in political activities or using party property until a determination by the court.

On June 10, 2025, the High Court granted the application, issuing orders restraining the respondents from participating in political activities and from using party assets until a ruling is rendered.

However, the Court of Appeal has overturned the High Court decision after reviewing both the procedure and the interlocutory ruling of the High Court.

According to Chadema advocate Dickson Matata, the appellate court found that the High Court erred in proceeding with the injunction application after the respondents’ counsel had withdrawn from the proceedings.

The Court held that this denied the respondents a fair hearing, as they were not present during the continuation of the proceedings.