DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Tanzanian police have arrested senior leaders of the country’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, along with hundreds of supporters, ahead of a planned meeting in the southwestern region of the country. The arrests occurred on Sunday evening, as reported by a party spokesperson on Monday.
Among those detained are Tundu Lissu, CHADEMA’s vice chairman, and the party’s Secretary General John Mnyika, according to party spokespersons who spoke to Reuters.
Lissu, who is a former presidential candidate, has been vocal about his intentions to contest in next year’s presidential election.
Since taking office in March 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lifted a ban on political rallies and eased restrictions on the media.
However, she continues to face criticism from opposition parties and rights groups, particularly concerning the suppression of protests related to a controversial port management deal.
The latest wave of arrests came shortly after police disrupted a youth conference organized by CHADEMA’s youth wing, BAVICHA, citing concerns that the event could violate the country’s security laws.
The conference, held in Mbeya, was intended to celebrate International Youth Day, with speeches planned by top party officials, including Chairman Freeman Mbowe.
Police spokesperson David Misime indicated that the conference was part of a broader strategy by CHADEMA to mobilize young people across the country for protests and demonstrations.
He confirmed that over 400 individuals had been detained in connection with these activities.
CHADEMA Chairman Freeman Mbowe condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of all those detained, asserting that the actions were politically motivated.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all our leaders, members, and loved ones who were arrested in various parts of the country,” Mbowe stated on social media platform X.
Attempts to contact police spokesperson David Misime for further comments were unsuccessful.
