Joseph Isangura
The High Court of Tanzania has issued an interim injunction suspending all political activities of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Tanzania’s largest opposition party.
The court’s decision follows a lawsuit filed by several party members from Zanzibar, who allege marginalisation within the party’s leadership and discrimination based on religious, gender, and regional grounds.
Delivered by Judge Hamidu Mwanga on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, the ruling effectively bars Chadema from accessing or using any of its assets and conducting any political operations until the primary case is heard later this month.
The case, registered under Civil Case No. 8323 of 2025, was initiated by a group that includes former Chadema Vice Chairperson (Zanzibar) Said Issa Mohamed. The group contends that Chadema has failed to fairly distribute resources and responsibilities between its Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania branches, a move they claim contradicts the spirit of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which formed the United Republic of Tanzania.
The complainants accuse the party of violating both its internal constitution and the national Political Parties Act of 1992, which regulates the conduct and registration of political organisations in the country. They claim some party decisions have deepened divisions along lines of identity—especially religion and gender—potentially threatening political cohesion in the country.
Chadema’s legal team, led by well-known constitutional lawyer Jebra Kambole, had attempted to challenge the injunction on technical grounds, citing improper procedures and lack of legal standing by the petitioners. However, the court dismissed these objections. In a surprising turn, Kambole withdrew from the case, citing procedural unfairness and requested an adjournment—an appeal that was also denied by the court.
The withdrawal of Chadema’s lead lawyer left the party unrepresented as the proceedings continued, leading to multiple rulings without defence participation. The injunction will remain in place until June 24, 2025, when the main hearing is expected to commence.
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This legal standoff has stirred political debate across Tanzania. Chadema, which has long positioned itself as the chief political challenger to the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), now finds itself in an unprecedented legal bind. The suspension could limit the party’s ability to organise for the upcoming local government elections and its early preparations for the 2025 General Election in Tanzania.
Party leaders have not yet issued an official statement, but insiders have confirmed that Chadema’s national executive committee is convening to determine their next legal and political steps.
As the case gains national attention, analysts warn of wider implications on freedom of association and internal party democracy in Tanzania. Legal scholars and civil society groups have also expressed concern over what they view as growing judicial entanglement in opposition politics.
The High Court’s ruling now places Chadema at a legal crossroads, with many waiting to see how this could reshape opposition politics in the country.
