Tanzania detains opposition leaders ahead of banned protests over alleged political abductions, killings
Police in Tanzania have detained leading leaders of the main opposition Chadema party, and about a dozen others, ahead of a banned demonstration on Monday (September 23) called to protest alleged recent political abductions and killings.
Local media gave differing accounts of total the number of people detained and how many had since been released.
Chadema said on X (formerly Twitter) that those arrested include party chairman Freeman Mbobe and deputy chairman Tundu Lissu. Another deputy chairman, Tundu Lissu, posted separating that a convoy of police vehicles had surrounded his house and that he would be taken into custody.
Lissu returned home in January 2023 after over two years in exile, emboldened to do so because of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s decision to lift a ban on political rallies widely viewed as meant to weaken the opposition.
Critics expressed concern that the recent detentions are a sign that the East African country could be returning to the repressive rule of the late president John Magufuli.
The police action comes less than three weeks after the Suluhu vowed an investigation into the brutal killing of Ali Mohamed Kibao, a senior member of Chadema, whose lifeless body, Mbowe told journalists on September 8, showed signs he had been “severely beaten”, and had “acid poured on his face”.
Suluhu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that her government would not tolerate such brutality, promising that a proper investigation would be done to find the killers of Kibao.
However, last week she cautioned against demonstrations and any related action, noting that the administration would not tolerate anything that would endanger law and order.
Police later declared the planned protests illegal, but Chadema had vowed to defy the ban. Over the past few days, anti-riot police have been patrolling the streets of Dar es Salaam to deter demonstrations.
On Monday, police also took into custody three journalists covering the protests, according to their employers, Mwananchi Communications Ltd and East Africa TV.
Suluhu, who came to power in March 2021, lifted a ban on political rallies widely viewed as meant to weaken the opposition put in place by Magufuli, who had been accused of muzzling the news media, cracking down on the opposition and enacting laws aimed at keeping the governing party in power.
Rights campaigners say Suluhu's government is targeting opponents ahead of local elections in December and a national vote in 2025, Tanzania's first presidential election since the death of Magufuli.
Tanzanian opposition leader Freeman Mbowe arrested during protest
Lulu Angelo Sanga |23.09.2024 - TRT/AA
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
Tanzania's main opposition leader Freeman Mbowe, was arrested by police in the Magomeni area of Dar es Salaam Monday.
The arrest came moments before a planned protest organized by the Chadema party to condemn a spate of abductions and killings allegedly targeting members of the opposition.
Mbowe arrived at the scene in a small vehicle and briefly spoke to journalists who had gathered to cover the protest before police intervened and arrested him.
Jumanne Muliro, a police commander, confirmed that 14 individuals, including Mbowe, are in police custody.
Muliro said the opposition leaders were arrested for defying a lawful police order to stop participating in the protest in Dar es Salaam.
An investigation is going on, he added.
Chadema had said on its social media that police had surrounded the homes of Mbowe and the party’s Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu.
Since the early hours of Monday, Dar es Salaam residents have witnessed heightened police presence, with armed officers patrolling several parts of the city, particularly around Magomeni Mataa, where the Chadema-led protest was scheduled to begin.
The protest stems from a Sept. 11 call by the Chadema party Chairman Mbowe, demanding justice for people who were allegedly abducted, tortured, or killed. They called for the resignation of Interior Minister Hamad Masauni and senior security officials.
The party also demanded the safe return of missing party members, including Deusdetith Soka, Dioniz Kipanya, Jacob Mlay, and Mr. Kombo—whether alive or deceased.
Tanzania's police force had previously banned the protest, citing security concerns. Despite the ban, Chadema had vowed to proceed with the demonstration.
The situation remains tense as the government and opposition face off over the rights to protest and political accountability.
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