AFP
Image caption,
Freeman Mbowe, who spent seven months in custody after Magufuli died, praised President Samia's reconciliation efforts
To please the CCM she could have continued with the status quo, but she gambled - and it seems to be paying off.
Interestingly she did it with a sleight of hand - it required no legal reforms, but it also means there is no guarantee that it cannot be reversed.
And the 63-year-old has also demonstrated her control. She is the one who issues the outcomes of the negotiations with the opposition in a manner and at times that suit her the most.
Even the setting of the announcement allowing rallies was telling - it was not a joint press conference in a neutral setting alongside Chadema on an equal footing. Instead it was at state house, pretty much reminding everyone who was in charge - with many smaller, and some would argue insignificant, opposition parties also present.
This new era for the opposition poses daunting challenges. Seven years of effective dictatorship has left many people apathetic about politics here.
Plus their sources of funding have been systematically and significantly crippled.
Opposition parties have only a year to travel around a massive country before important local elections next year, with general elections following in 2025.
Both will serve as litmus test as to how effective rallies can really be.
