KEY POINTS
- Tanzanian police briefly detained CHADEMA leaders to prevent anti-government protests. Â
- The opposition claims the government is targeting critics ahead of the 2025 national election. Â
- Journalists covering the protests were also briefly arrested, sparking concerns over press freedom.
Tanzanian police briefly detained three opposition leaders on Monday, including CHADEMA chairman Freeman Mbowe and deputy chairman Tundu Lissu, in an effort to halt anti-government protests in Dar es Salaam.
The arrests have fueled claims by rights groups that President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government is targeting opponents ahead of key local elections in December and a national vote in 2025.
Opposition leaders arrested amidst protests
The arrests occurred as the opposition party, CHADEMA, planned protests to draw attention to alleged killings and abductions of government critics.
Mbowe was detained on the street, while Lissu was taken from his home, according to the party. Later, CHADEMA reported that other party members, staff, and security guards were also arrested at their offices in Dar es Salaam.
Police confirmed the arrests of 14 individuals, including Mbowe and Lissu, accusing them of defying a ban on protests. This comes after similar events last month when the pair, along with hundreds of supporters, were briefly detained.
Journalists covering the protests were also caught up in the crackdown. Three journalists from Mwananchi Communications Ltd and East Africa TV were arrested, though they were released later the same day. No explanation for their detention was provided by authorities.
Rights groups raise concerns over political targeting
Rights campaigners and opposition members have accused the Tanzanian government of cracking down on dissent ahead of upcoming elections. They claim that President Hassan’s administration is using repressive tactics, including arrests, intimidation, and violence, to stifle opposition voices.
Earlier in September, another CHADEMA official was found dead after being abducted from a bus, with signs of being beaten and acid poured on his face.Â
According to Reuters, this has intensified fears of an orchestrated campaign against political opponents. Lissu himself survived an assassination attempt in 2016, where he was shot 16 times.
Despite these incidents, President Hassan’s government maintains that it supports democratic principles and has denied allegations of brutality. However, the repeated arrests of opposition leaders have led to increased scrutiny of the government’s approach to dissent.
Leaders released, but tensions remain high
By Monday evening, police had released Mbowe, Lissu, and other senior CHADEMA officials, including Gobless Lema and Benson Kigaila, on bail. However, CHADEMA reported that Mbowe remained at the police station, awaiting the release of others who had been arrested alongside him.
CHADEMA emphasized that the protests were intended to be peaceful, with the aim of condemning the recent abductions and killings in the country. They called for transparency and accountability from the government, demanding justice for the victims.
There was no immediate comment from the government on the arrests or the protests. CHADEMA remains determined to press forward, although the ongoing tension between the opposition and the ruling government is likely to persist as the country approaches its upcoming elections.
