Statement by His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, and the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on the outcome of General Elections in the United Republic of Tanzania.
In consideration of the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, SADC established virtual stakeholder engagement meetings with key electoral stakeholders in the United Republic of Tanzania. The engagements were aimed at assessing the country’s preparedness for the elections.
Following the General Elections held on 28 October 2020, SADC applauds the people of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) for once again demonstrating their commitment to democracy by exercising their right to vote in a calm and tranquil manner, a progressive build-up to the 6th multiparty elections since 1995.
SADC congratulates the victorious Presidential Candidate for URT Dr. John Pombe Magufuli and Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi for winning the elections in Zanzibar.
In particular, SADC congratulates all political parties/candidates and encourage them to consolidate the gains made in the democratic space since the advent of multiparty elections in the country. In that regard, SADC calls upon the new Government to closely engage all actors in democracy, governance and politics with a view to implement reforms aimed at improving political engagement and sustain democracy within the United Republic of Tanzania.
In this respect, SADC urges all stakeholders to settle any disputes emanating from this electoral process through established legal channels as stipulated in the national laws, and in the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015). This will enable a constructive environment that will infuse credibility in the processes and practices used for elections.
Finally, I wish to commend the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), for their unwavering commitment to support electoral democracy by strengthening the space in which democratic actors may collectively and unitarily converge in expressing their patriotic duty to their country.
On behalf of SADC, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to take this opportunity to once again, commend the President-Elect of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr, John Pombe Magufuli on his resounding electoral victory and wish the incoming government a peaceful and successful term in office.
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