Letter to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth on tanzanian repression

Letter from the Platform for African Democrats to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, 4 May 2026

HE Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

Secretary-General of the Commonwealth BY EMAIL

Dear Secretary-General

Democracy in Tanzania

Our letters of 23 February 2026 and 23 March 2026 refer.

We have taken note of the recent visit by HE Lazarus Chakwera as Special Envoy of the Commonwealth to the United Republic of Tanzania. We commend this step in attempting to find a way forward to the re-establishment of democracy and the rule of law in that country. To remind, at the conclusion of his visit in April, the Envoy said: ‘While I look forward to the outcome of the Independent Commission of Inquiry in the coming days, I also join Tanzanians in their belief that the work of building lasting peace and prosperity will require a foundation of goodwill, mutual respect, and a commitment to truth and accountability, to open and constructive dialogue, to justice and reconciliation, and to transparent and inclusive democratic processes for undertaking reforms.’.

There is a grave danger that this visit provides the regime with a fig-leaf of respectability rather than a spur to reform. In particular, we would ask that you employ your good offices to make public the full so-called Chande Report on the political violence that followed the election last year. Until that happens, the report and its findings can only be a subject of innuendo, disinformation and ridicule, and cannot provide the basis for public consultation and debate. This is particularly the case given that only one side has formed the team behind this Report.

No struggle can be won by force of arms alone. It will only be managed through political compromise. The interests of leadership must be secondary to the interests of the state, and they rule only according to the will of the entire population. ‘

We thus call on you to implore the leadership of Tanzania to further normalise the political environment by releasing Tundu Lissu from jail and unconditionally relaxing all restrictions on opposition members. You cannot talk peace while waging war. As Nelson Mandela observed, it is impossible to contemplate, let alone conduct political negotiations, from behind bars or while on trial.

Peace, I remind, is the expression of power relationships. It is not possible to address peace directly without diplomacy focusing on the conditions which shape these relationships.

We look forward to hearing from you. Yours in democracy

Signed on behalf of the Platform for African Democrats

Seretse Khama Ian Khama

Former President of the Republic of Botswana