Selv i Tanzanias mere velstående regioner er utilfredsheden med de galopperende priser udbredt
Thousands of residents of the south western Tanzanian city, Mbeya, Thursday thronged the streets in peaceful demonstrations organised by the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) to protest the increasing cost of living, writes Tanzanian daily “The Citizen” Friday.
The demonstrations, which climaxed at (the ruling party) CCM grounds, were led by Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe who is also the leader of official Opposition in Parliament.
Other leaders who participated in the demonstrations were Chadema secretary general Willibrod Slaa, outspoken Arusha Urban MP Godbless Lema and his Mbeya Urban counterpart Joseph Mbilinyi.
The demonstrators also wanted the government to abandon amendments on the procurement Act, which currently bars it from purchasing secondhand (købe brugte) materials.
Demonstrators carried placards blaming the government for the rise in the cost of living that has resulted from increased commodity prices and low salaries. Besides those who were marching on foot, there were others on motorcycles and bicycles.
The march also intended to force the government to take firm control of the process of writing the new constitution and not to “allow CCM to meddle” with the process.
The protesters called for a repeat of Arusha mayoral elections, whose results saw the CCM candidate emerge victorious, which Chadema has been disputing on the grounds that the polls were held against laid down procedures.
