The High Court of Tanzania has temporarily barred the opposition party CHADEMA from carrying out any political or executive activities until a legal dispute brought by former party leaders from Zanzibar is heard in full.
Justice Hamidu Mwanga, who presided over the case, issued the interim order in Dar es Salaam. Mwanga, a former electoral commissioner appointed as judge last year, ruled in favor of the applicants, led by former CHADEMA Deputy Chairperson (Zanzibar) Said Issa Mohamed, who accused the party of marginalizing its Zanzibar members.
The plaintiffs claim that CHADEMA has failed to uphold principles of equality within its ranks, citing unequal distribution of party resources between the mainland and Zanzibar. In their court filings, they allege discrimination based on region, religion and gender and argued that party members from Zanzibar are denied opportunities for leadership and participation.
They petitioned the court to suspend all party operations and freeze the use of its assets until the main case is heard on June 24, 2025. The court granted the interim orders as requested.
This lawsuit adds to growing internal tensions within CHADEMA, one of Tanzania’s main opposition parties, which has long positioned itself as a champion of democracy and fairness. According to court documents, the claimants argue that the current leadership has contravened both the party’s internal constitution and national political party regulations.
During the preliminary hearing, CHADEMA’s legal team, led by lawyer Jebra Kambole, had raised objections, all of which were dismissed by the court. Following the ruling, Kambole withdrew from the case, stating on social media that he could not continue to be part of a process he felt undermined basic principles of justice and democratic rights.
“I decided to withdraw from today’s CHADEMA case after witnessing serious procedural irregularities, lack of equal opportunity to be heard and other concerns. I couldn’t be part of a process that violates human rights and democracy in this country,” Kambole posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The court is expected to begin full hearings on the case later this month.
