Tanzania’s Post-Election Landscape – Legitimacy, Participation, and Regional Implications

Held in the immediate aftermath of Tanzania’s national election, this panel examines the political, social, and regional dynamics that will shape the country’s trajectory in the months ahead.

Bildet kan inneholde: fellesskap, mengde, jeans, fritid, offentlig arrangement.

An officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission providing voter education in the Arusha Region. Photo: Independent National Electoral Commission, Tanzania

With opposition parties sidelined and regional observers restricted, questions of electoral legitimacy and credibility stand at the forefront – issues that will influence both domestic and regional stability and international engagement.

The discussion will examine how Tanzania’s youth, navigating unemployment, entrepreneurial aspirations, and a constrained digital environment, are redefining civic engagement in the face of shrinking democratic space. Alongside these social pressures, the country’s macroeconomic outlook – characterized by steady growth, low inflation, and significant natural-gas potential – raises questions about fiscal governance, resource management, and whether these gains can be translated into inclusive development.

Finally, the panel will consider gender equality and inclusive representation, noting both the symbolic progress of increased female candidacies and the enduring barriers that limit women’s participation. Together, these themes offer a multidimensional assessment of Tanzania’s post-election moment – where legitimacy, participation, and governance converge to shape the country’s democratic and developmental future.

Programme

Time and place: 31 October, 11:00–12:00, Union 371 Blindern

Moderator: Juliana V?rvik 

Panelists:

  • Eivind Fjeldstad, Director Advocacy and Program Development, Laerdal Global Health
  • Prof. Kjetil Tronvoll, Peace and Conflict Studies, Oslo New University College
  • Tyler Barrott, Researcher, Centre for Global Sustainability, University of Oslo
  • Dr. Vendelin Simon, University of Dar es Salaam

Organized by Circle U. University of Oslo and the Norwegian Council for Africa.

Published Oct. 22, 2025 3:58 PM - Last modified Oct. 23, 2025 10:03 AM