Sunday, August18th, 2024
Author: Adriana Ribas
Freeman Mbowe, Chairman Tanzania´s main opposition party Chadema, at the party´s first political rally after an imposed ban from 2016 was lifted, at Furahisha Grounds in Mwanza, on January 21, 2023. Source: Michael Jameson, AFP
SUMMARY
Tanzania´s political landscape, marked by systematic suppression of opposition voices through police brutality, can be deeply understood through a postcolonial lens. By reflecting on Gayatri Spivak´s seminal essay, “Can the Subaltern Speak?”, this analysis explores how the remnants of colonial structures, the legacy of authoritarianism, and the politics of power contribute to the current human rights violations and the silencing of marginalized voices within the opposition.
BACKGROUND
Introduction
Tanzania, like many African nations, carries the deep scars of colonialism. The period of German and later British rule left an indelible mark on the country’s political and social structures. The colonial administration relied heavily on coercion, surveillance, and control to maintain power, using the police and military as tools of repression. These institutions, designed to suppress dissent and maintain colonial dominance, were inherited by the postcolonial state.
In “Can the Subaltern Speak?”, Spivak critiques how colonial and postcolonial power dynamics often render the voices of the marginalized—whom she refers to as the “subaltern” – inaudible within dominant discourses. In Tanzania, the police have played a key role in ensuring that opposition voices, many of whom represent subaltern groups, remain silenced. The persistence of authoritarian practices, originally instilled during the colonial period, has further entrenched this marginalization.
The Legacy of Colonialism and Authoritarianism
After gaining independence in 1961, Tanzania, under Julius Nyerere, adopted a one-party socialist state model. While Nyerere’s policies of Ujamaa (a Swahili word that can be translated as “familyhood”, a socialist set of values) aimed at fostering unity and development, they also entrenched a centralized system of governance that left little room for political pluralism. The state´s reliance on the police to enforce its policies mirrored the colonial use of force, embedding a culture of repression within the country´s political framework.
Spivak´s inquiry into whether the subaltern can speak – meaning, whether they can truly articulate their experiences within a framework that recognizes their agency – resonates strongly in this context. In Tanzania, the opposition, often composed of subaltern voices, struggles to speak within a political system that actively suppresses their expression through state apparatuses like the police.
In postcolonial states like Tanzania, the police often embody the contradictions of the independence struggle. They are simultaneously seen as protectors of the new nation-state and as instruments of the ruling elite, whose interests frequently diverge from those of the broader population. This dualism is evident in how the Tanzanian police have been used to maintain the status quo, usually at the expense of human rights and democratic freedoms.
The use of the police to stifle opposition in Tanzania reflects the ongoing marginalization of subaltern voices, as described by Spivak. Members of political opposition are not only denied their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly but are also actively repressed when attempting to do so. The police, acting as agents of the state, enforce this silence, perpetuating a power dynamic where the voices of the marginalized are systematically excluded from the political discourse.
This dynamic is not unique to Tanzania; it is a common feature in many postcolonial states where the police and military are used to silence dissent and perpetuate the power of a ruling elite that prioritizes its survival over the democratic aspirations of the people. The continued use of these colonial-era strategies highlights the nature of the decolonization process, where political independence was achieved, but the structures of repression remained intact. Spivak’s argument about the subaltern’s inability to “speak” within the prevailing power structures is evident here, as the opposition´s attempts to assert their voice are met with violence and suppression.
After the death of former President John Magufuli – nicknamed The Bulldozer for his dictatorial tendency – in 2021, Amnesty International, an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, took a stand and urged Tanzanian authorities “to respect the right of liberty and ensure that the criminal justice system is not used as a tool to persecute people solely for peacefully exercising their human rights”. The organization highlights the need to “end arbitrary arrests and detention, and launch prompt, thorough, independent, transparent and effective investigations into the conduct of the security forces and ensure that anyone suspected to be responsible is brought to justice in fair trials”.
Postcolonial Identity and the Opposition
The opposition in Tanzania, primarily represented by parties like Chadema, can be seen as a postcolonial challenge to the hegemonic power structures established by the ruling party. These opposition parties draw their support from marginalized groups who feel excluded from the political and economic benefits that the postcolonial state was supposed to deliver. However, the opposition’s struggle is complicated by the fact that they are operating within a system designed to suppress dissent.
The police, as agents of the state, view the opposition not as legitimate political competitors but as threats to the established order. This perception is deeply rooted in the colonial mentality of governance, where any challenge to authority is met with force rather than dialogue. In this sense, the opposition is depicted as subalterns, unable to communicate their position within a system that actively suppresses their voice.
Moreover, the opposition´s attempts to assert a different national identity, one that includes political plurality and respect for human rights, are often dismissed by the ruling party as destabilizing influences. This reflects a postcolonial anxiety about maintaining national unity and stability, often at the cost of democratic freedoms. The ruling party´s narrative is that strong, centralized control is necessary to prevent the chaos that might arise from too much political freedom – a justification that echoes colonial excuses for authoritarian rule.
Despite the human rights and political scenario getting better under Samia Suluhu Hassan’s presidency, human rights activists believe there is a long way to go. If the president chooses to go rough, she still has the tools at her disposal. In terms of the criminal justice system, it is necessary to reform the police and other law enforcement agents. They need reform in terms of training, recruitment, and payment.
Last Sunday, Tanzanian police arrested prominent politician Tundu Lissu along with four other opposition officials, according to the Chadema party. The party stated that Lissu and two other politicians were detained in the south-western town of Mbeya, just before their scheduled rally to commemorate World Youth Day. Chadema´s chairman and the head of its youth wing were also arrested on Monday afternoon, the party reported.
These arrests occurred a year after President Samia Hassan lifted a ban on opposition gatherings and pledged to revive competitive politics. On Sunday, police banned the Chadema rally, claiming it was intended to incite violence.
The International Dimension: Neocolonial Influences
Postcolonial analysis also requires considering the international context in which Tanzania´s political repression occurs. The global political and economic order constantly reinforces the power of postcolonial elites, as long as they align with broader international interests. In this context, Spivak´s critique of the complicity of global power structures in the continued marginalization of subaltern voices can be applied.
In Tanzania, the ruling party has benefitted from international support, particularly in the form of aid and economic partnerships, which can sometimes come with implicit or explicit expectations of political stability. This stability is interpreted by the ruling elite as the suppression of opposition to maintain a favorable environment for foreign investment and economic growth. Therefore, the use of police brutality against the opposition can be seen as part of a broader strategy to align with international expectations of a stable, investment-friendly state, even if it means violating human rights.
This relationship reflects a form of neocolonialism, where economic dependencies and international pressures shape the domestic policies of postcolonial states. The Tanzanian government’s actions can be understood as part of a strategy to maintain this neocolonial relationship, ensuring continued economic support while suppressing domestic dissent that might disrupt this arrangement. It blows wide open how the opposition´s voice is not only suppressed within the borders but also within the broader international discourse that prioritizes stability over human rights.
The Struggle for True Decolonization
While the country achieved political independence over six decades ago, the structures and practices of repression established during the colonial era remain largely intact. The police, as an institution, have not been reformed to reflect the democratic aspirations of the people; instead, they continue to serve as enforcers of a ruling elite that places its survival above the principles of democracy and human rights.
In this context, Spivak’s question, “Can the subaltern speak?” takes on significant meaning. The opposition, embodying the subaltern, attempts to speak within a system that systematically denies their agency and voice. True decolonization in Tanzania would require a reimagining of the role of the police and other state institutions, transforming them from tools of repression into protectors of the people’s rights and freedoms. It would also necessitate a dismantling of the neocolonial power structures that perpetuate economic and political dependencies on the global stage.
For the opposition, the struggle is not just against a repressive ruling party but against a deeply entrenched system that has its roots in colonialism and has been perpetuated through postcolonial governance. Their fight is part of a broader, ongoing process of decolonization – one that seeks to dismantle the remnants of colonial control and establish a truly democratic and inclusive society. This struggle, as Spivak suggests, is not just about being heard but about transforming the structures that have historically rendered these voices inaudible.
Conclusion
Through a postcolonial lens and with reflections on Spivak´s “Can the Subaltern Speak?”, the political situation in Tanzania, characterized by police brutality and the silencing of the opposition, reveals the deep-rooted continuities between colonial and postcolonial governance. Tanzanian opposition has sought reforms for 30 years, when Tanzania moved from one-party rule to a multiparty democracy. However, questions remain about whether they can succeed. The use of the police as a tool of repression reflects the lingering influence of colonial structures, while the suppression of opposition voices underscores the challenges of achieving true decolonization. Understanding these dynamics is essential for addressing the human rights violations in Tanzania and supporting the country´s journey toward a more democratic future. In the end, the question endures: Can the subaltern in Tanzania truly speak, or will their voices continue to be silenced by the remnants of colonial power?
REFERENCES
Aljazeera (2024). Packed Tanzania protests offer hope but reforms remain a distant dream. Retrieved on 15 August from: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/27/packed-tanzania-protests-offer-hope-but-reforms-remain-a-distant-dream.
Amnesty International (2021). Tanzania: an 8-point Human Rights Agenda for Change. Retrieved on 15 August from: https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AFR5641522021ENGLISH.pdf.
BBC (2024). Tanzania opposition figure Tundu Lissu arrested in crackdown. Retrieved on 15 August from: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6236wzv4k9o
Human Rights Watch (2024). Interview: Tanzania has got a new president same old problems. Retrieved on 15 August from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/03/26/interview-tanzania-has-new-president-same-old-problems.
Spivak, G. C. (2010). Pode o subalterno falar? (A. P. Gama, Trad.). Belo Horizonte: Editora UFMG.
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