SADC under violent election siege
Lewanika Timothy | Friday October 31, 2025 12:49
Clashes between protesters and security forces have triggered curfews, intensifying concerns that the government is tightening control over a shrinking democratic space.
Regionally, Southern Africa is experiencing a growing trend of violent, unfair electoral processes while regional organisations turn a blind eye to respect for country sovereignty. Southern Africa had asserted itself as an outlier in the African region, with most countries holding peaceful elections that regard the rule of law and the dictates of the democratic processes.
However, it appears the regard for electoral processes was only observed when legacy political parties were in power and saw no existing threat to their rule. Since the big calendar of elections that began in 2024, contested ballots have repeatedly spiraled into street protests, mass arrests, and wider political breakdowns . Most countries have experienced a change of guard in their recent elections, with most of these elections marred by unfair practices and calls for re-runs. The latest to join the list is Tanzania. Tanzania went to the polls this week with growing reports of violence in the streets, political arrest of political opponents, while election observer bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) do not acknowledge challenges on the ground.
Tanzania’s election unrest started when the ruling political party used the State's muscle to hollow out competitive politics. Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, analysts say, is virtually unchallenged and will almost certainly win, following what rights groups say has been a heavy crackdown on popular opposition members, activists, and journalists.
In the months and weeks before polling, opposition leaders and activists faced arrests, prosecutions, and travel restrictions, while prominent opposition figures have been charged with treason or criminal offences, and supporters reported violent dispersals at rallies.
Courts and security forces have been used in ways that opposition parties say amount to “systematic sidelining” while the state hides these actions as law enforcement or national security protection. International and regional observers present have come under fire for turning a blind eye to all the irregularities happening in the country, with their presence translating to press releases that claim observation of electoral processes.
Amid ongoing arrests of politicians and the use of state force to silence protests, SADC this week shared its official posture. The regional body could only wish for peaceful elections for the people of Tanzania without acknowledging pressing challenges on the ground.
“The United Republic of Tanzania has a long-standing tradition of peace and stability. I am confident that during and in the aftermath of these elections, Tanzania will maintain its reputation as a peaceful nation that upholds democratic principles and conducts peaceful elections,” shared Peter Mutharika, current chairperson of SADC organ on politics, defence and security.
Mozambique’s post-election unrest in late 2024 remains one of the region’s most violent elections in the region. Reports of mass killings, protests followed a contested result, and a series of confrontations with security forces left dozens dead and hundreds injured.
The government’s victory was upheld by the courts, but the sheer scale of unrest, including prison breaks and arson attacks, underlined how disputed outcomes can rapidly spin into wider instability. Regional capitals and international partners issued condemnations; SADC has been criticized by rights groups for not pushing harder for accountability.
The spread of violence and the use of state force to silence dissenting opinions is caused by a Gen-Z movement against the lack of responsiveness of legacy political parties. Most of these parties have been affected by corruption and rot, with the political class focusing on their enrichment while the ordinary members of society fry in the heat of unemployment and poverty.
Online movements organized by young people have not been frail in calling for change. What many of these countries don’t realise is that imposing curfews and curtailing protests cannot stop online discussions around the demand for change.
Madagascar was also not spared from the revolt against unresponsive governments. Large youth-led protests over basic services and allegations of governance failure produced heavy-handed policing and a rapid political response from the presidency, including the dissolution of the government this year 2025.
This resulted in a change of guard that has brought in a new government that is also under fire for its political appointments that have happened outside the confines of public engagement, showing that no political party is safe from the Gen-Z online check and balances
Other regional players like Zimbabwe continue to exemplify the pattern of a history of contested polls, a weakened civic space, and frequent allegations that state instruments are used to stifle dissent. This week, President Mnangagwa shared his intentions to extend his stay in office until 2030, something which is expected to spill the country into unrest ahead of polls. Other countries have managed to maintain their cool, with Botswana remaining a positive outlier with its peaceful handover of power exactly a year ago. The pain point is that many of these countries will experience unrest post the polls. Unrest will continue to plague governments even after poll success. This is expected to keep many governments on their toes.