A delegation from the Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on Peace (known as the “P-FORUM”) has arrived in Tanzania ahead of the country’s General Election scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, calling for calm, transparency, and mutual respect among political actors to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The 23-member delegation, which includes lawmakers and election experts from Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, will be in the country from October 23 to 31, 2025.
According to a statement from the Forum, the mission aims to observe pre-election conditions, engage with key stakeholders, and promote peace and dialogue across the Great Lakes region, which has often grappled with political tensions during elections.
“Elections are a vital test of democracy,” said former Burundi President Domitien Ndayizeye, who is leading the mission. “We are here to encourage Tanzanians to preserve their long-standing tradition of peaceful political transitions. The entire region looks to Tanzania as a model of stability.”
The observers have been deployed across Dar es Salaam, the Coast Region, and Unguja in Zanzibar, where they will meet representatives from political parties, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), civil society organizations, faith leaders, and security agencies.
The mission will also monitor final campaign rallies, election-day operations, and the immediate post-election environment before issuing a preliminary statement on their findings.
In his address to the press upon arrival, Mr. Ndayizeye emphasized that credible elections are central to sustaining peace in the Great Lakes region.
“We call on all political players — parties, candidates, and supporters — to act with restraint, respect the rule of law, and use dialogue to resolve differences,” he said. “Democracy is strengthened not only by voting, but by accepting results peacefully.”
He further appealed to media outlets and online users to promote responsible communication, avoid disinformation, and support efforts to maintain unity during and after the polls.
The visit comes as Tanzania prepares for its seventh multi-party general election since the reintroduction of political pluralism in 1992. The vote is expected to draw millions of citizens choosing representatives from local councils to the presidency.
Tanzania’s elections are being watched closely by neighboring states within the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), many of which have experienced contested polls in the past.
Analysts say the presence of the Great Lakes delegation signals growing regional commitment to preventing electoral conflict and promoting shared democratic values.
“Tanzania’s peaceful elections are not only crucial for its citizens but for the stability of the entire Great Lakes region,” noted Dr. Agnes Mwambene, a political analyst at the University of Dar es Salaam. “This mission reinforces the message that peace and democracy go hand in hand.”
The mission is expected to submit its report to the ICGLR Secretariat and the African Union, highlighting best practices and areas for improvement in electoral conduct and civic participation.
“Our presence is a gesture of solidarity,” added Ndayizeye. “We trust Tanzanians will once again demonstrate that political competition can coexist with peace and mutual respect.”
The Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on Peace has conducted similar observation and peace missions in Kenya, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, fostering dialogue and early warning mechanisms to prevent election-related violence.
