The opposition leaders were arrested in the city of Mbeya in the south-west of the East African country, John Mrema, who is director of communications and international affairs, told X late on Sunday evening.
Chadema was due to hold an event in Mbeya on Monday on the occasion of World Youth Day.
Tundu Lissu (56) returned home to Tanzania in January 2023 after five years in exile. Lissu was shot 16 times in 2017 and spent most of the years since then in Belgium.
Lissu, who has previously been a presidential candidate, returned to his home country after the country’s new president lifted the ban on political gatherings.
The police declared that the event was illegal
Chadema leader Freeman Mbowe says he strongly condemns the arrest of Lissu. Another prominent party member was also arrested, in addition to some youth politicians. Around 500 supporters were also stopped by the police on their way to the event and sent home.
– We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all our leaders, members and supporters who were arrested in different parts of the country, Mbowe wrote on X.
– The party is following the situation closely and will continue to inform the public about developments.
Before the arrest, the police had announced that the event was illegal. Several Chadema members have condemned the ban and called on President Samia Suluhu Hassan to intervene.
Appealed to the President
Hassan took over as president in 2021 after his predecessor John Magufuli died suddenly. Hassan, who was on a state visit to Norway in February this year, has moved away from Magufuli’s authoritarian line. She opened for political reforms, including easing some restrictions on the media and the opposition.
When the ban on the political rally was announced on Sunday, police chief Awadh Haji said police had clear indications that the aim of the event was not to celebrate Youth Day but to incite violence.
Lissu had promised in advance that the youth event would take place as planned.
– President Samia – don’t buy into Magufuli’s strange ways. International Youth Day is celebrated all over the world. Why are the police blocking Chadema youths on the road and arresting them? wrote the opposition leader on X.
– This is not the time to be silent, be afraid or just talk. It is a time to stand up, to be counted. Let us raise our voice with all our strength, he wrote further.
Tanzania will hold parliamentary and presidential elections next year.
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2024-08-13 02:58:12
