Tanzanian authorities have detained opposition leaders and hundreds of supporters, halting a planned rally in the southwestern city of Mbeya.
The Chadema party’s leaders, including former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, were arrested yesterday.
The police had previously banned the rally, citing concerns of planned violence.
The arrests come amid a wave of protests sweeping sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and Uganda. Chadema’s director of communications, John Mrema, confirmed the arrests on X.
The party was planning to mark International Youth Day with a rally. About 500 youth supporters were detained while en route to the event.The Mbeya
Police arrested all Chadema leaders present, including Lissu, John Mnyika, Joseph Mbilinyi, and youth leaders.
Chadema leader Freeman Mbowe condemned the arrests and demanded their immediate release.
Tanzania is set to hold presidential and parliamentary polls in 2025. Critics argue that the arrests demonstrate democratic progress is stalling.The opposition has been staging protests against controversial bills, soaring living costs, and electoral process oversight.
The police banned the Chadema youth gathering, accusing the party of planning violent demonstrations.
Chadema officials denounced the ban and called on President Samia Suluhu Hassan to intervene.
Hassan has moved away from her predecessor’s hardline policies, lifting a ban on opposition rallies in January 2023.
