Tanzanian police have arrested prominent politician Tundu Lissu and two other opposition Chadema officials, the party has confirmed. The arrests took place in the town of Mbeya on Sunday, just before their planned rally to mark World Youth Day.
This incident comes a year after President Samia Hassan lifted a ban on opposition gatherings and pledged to restore competitive politics in the country. However, the police intervened and banned the Chadema rally, claiming it was inciting violence.
The police cited the party’s call for unity, likening it to the youth protests in Kenya, as the reason for the ban. Chadema officials expressed concern over the whereabouts of the detained leaders, as the police have not provided any information on their status.
Chadema spokesman John Mrema reported that groups of youths traveling to the rally were arrested and sent back to their regions under armed escort. The party had planned for around 10,000 young people to gather in Mbeya to celebrate youth day with the theme “Take charge of your future.”
Despite the police crackdown, Chadema officials shared images of party members being detained in Iringa, a nearby town. The individuals were later released and escorted back to their original locations.
Chadema has strongly condemned the arrests, with party chairman Freeman Mbowe demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detained leaders, members, and supporters across the country.
Tundu Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, returned to Tanzania last year after spending two years in exile in Belgium. His return followed President Samia’s decision to lift the ban on political rallies imposed by her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2016.
The upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Tanzania have added tension to the political climate, with some opposition politicians criticizing President Samia for her handling of the situation. The country is set to hold elections late next year, and the recent arrests have raised concerns about the state of democracy in Tanzania.
