Tanzania's youth are torn between standing with the oppressed opposition or backing President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the upcoming election. With two prominent opposition candidates disqualified, the path to the presidency is all but assured for the incumbent. But what does her likely "victory" mean for Tanzania's youth?
00:00Imagine you're a 20-year-old in Tanzania with a university degree, scrolling through Instagram,
00:06watching your favorite artist post another video praising the government, while you can't find a job.
00:11That's a reality for many young voters in Tanzania as it gears up for the October 29th presidential election.
00:18Tanzania's ruling Chama Chama Pinduzi, or CCM, is the longest-serving ruling party in Africa.
00:25They've been in power since 1961, that's nearly half a century.
00:29Any opposition to its dominance faces severe restrictions.
00:33And under the current president, Samir Suluhu Hassan, there have been even more crackdowns,
00:38including enforced disappearances, strict social media regulations, and detention of critics and journalists.
00:45Tanzania holds regular elections, but there are concerns when it comes to its democracy.
00:51Here's some other math that doesn't add up.
00:53Tanzania has incredible natural resources, gold, diamonds, and fertile farmland.
01:01Tourism brings in billions.
01:03Yet, with a per capita GDP of around US$1,100, many citizens still struggle to make ends meet.
01:11And with a rapidly growing population of about 70 million people, the country keeps expanding, but opportunities?
01:17Not so much.
01:19Tanzania's working age population is 32 million, and while the official unemployment rate is 2.8%, some local sources put that figure at nearly 9%.
01:30Many young people work in the informal sector just to survive, not in careers that meet their dreams or match their academic qualifications.
01:38Then there's the Chawa debate.
01:41Young Tanzanians are calling out celebrities, musicians, and influencers who keep hyping up the CCM government while ignoring the struggles of ordinary people.
01:50These artists who get paid to post positive messages about the government are creating a massive credibility gap.
01:58So while the upcoming elections could mark President Samir's first-ever election win,
02:02it could still leave a huge section of the young population with unfulfilled dreams.
02:08In the meantime, it's a global organization.
02:10Not even though they are living a position but it feels disinciestly not river vão be greatly attacked by the fact that the country stands out for 11.
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