"This is the lesson to all of us in Africa and elsewhere that regimes that are in power without the consent of the people are no longer acceptable," Deputy Foreign Minister Mahadhi Juma Maalim told parliament.
Maalim was responding to lawmakers who had demanded what Tanzania had learnt from the popular revolts in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, Syria and Libya.
"The era for dictatorship is now over. Some of these countries have started implementing reforms including organising elections," the minister said.
Tanzania has held regular competetive elections since the restoration of multi-party politics in 1992, but opposition groups denounced last year`s polls that gave President Jakaya Kikwete a second five-year term.
Libya has been jolted by more than a month of violence as opponents of long-time ruler Moamer Kadhafi took up arms to topple his regime.
Africa is home to some of the world`s longest serving presidents. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
