Tanzania warned against rushing into new Constitution before national healing
Legal and political stakeholders in Tanzania are urging the government to prioritize national reconciliation and healing before drafting a new Constitution. They argue that rushing the process could exacerbate existing political divisions.
Why it matters
The debate underscores the importance of social stability and consensus-building in the constitutional reform processes of developing democracies.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has been warned against rushing into a new Constitution before addressing the wounds and divisions arising from the country’s recent political crisis, with stakeholders arguing that reconciliation and national healing should come first.
Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) President Boniface Mwabukusi said on Friday, 28, August, 2026, that embarking on a comprehensive constitutional review before creating peace and stability in society could deepen the crisis instead of resolving it.
His remarks came during the Tanzania Democracy Forum, where lawyers, politicians, religious leaders, academics and civil society actors discussed democracy, justice, accountability and national reconciliation.
Mr Mwabukusi said Tanzania needed to first establish a Truth Commission to establish what happened, give victims an opportunity to tell their stories and recommend measures for reconciliation and healing.
He said the commission should be victim-centred rather than leader-centred, with broad representation from victims, citizens, political parties and religious leaders.
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