Elections in Tanzania: Why SADC’s assist affects South Africa
For us in South Africa, or anywhere in Africa, elections in Tanzania reflect a shared aspirations for transparency, democracy and unity.
When the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission landed in Dar es Salaam ahead of the 29 October 2025 elections in Tanzania, it felt like more than protocol, it felt like a handshake across borders.
South Africa and Tanzania share more than travel history; we share a continent seeking cohesion, justice and shared identity.
What’s happening in Tanzania
SADC’s mission, led by Richard Msowoya from Malawi, arrived in Dar es Salaam in mid-October to observe the upcoming general election in Tanzania.
Their mandate covers pre-election processes, polling day and post-election review, under the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections.
Tanzania’s government has pledged full cooperation, signalling intent for transparency and credibility.
How this matters for Tanzania’s election
For Tanzanians, the mission is a public signal: the world is watching, your voice counts, and your process matters.
When SADC observes, national electoral bodies, parties and citizens all face increased incentive to play fair. It boosts trust, helps calm tensions and supports the idea that every vote matters.
Why South Africans should care
- Regional solidarity: As South Africans, we recognise that our democracy is tied to our neighbours’. SADC’s presence in Tanzania strengthens the political fabric of our region, something we all benefit from.
- Shared identity: When Tanzania inviting SADC shows confidence, it reflects what we strive for – an Africa where collaboration is real, not just words.
- Travel & business: Stability in elections means safer travel, stronger investments and smoother cross-border ties for South Africans living in or visiting East Africa.
- Democratic benchmark: South Africa, with its history of observer missions elsewhere, gains when neighbouring countries hold credible polls – our continent looks more cohesive and credible on the global stage.
A step toward a unified Africa
Every time we see a SADC mission doing its work, we see Africa as a single civic space, not just a continent of separate nations.
In Tanzania, that means election rules, watchers, and observers shared across borders. It means Tanzanians, South Africans, and all Africans can look toward each other and say: we are in this together.
Let this remind us that our future isn’t written in isolation but in collaboration. The mission in Tanzania isn’t just for Tanzania, it is for all of us.