Tanzanian police have arrested prominent opposition leader Tundu Lissu and two other Chadema officials in the south-western town of Mbeya, according to the party. The detentions occurred on the eve of a planned rally to celebrate World Youth Day.
Chadema claims the arrests took place on Sunday, a year after President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted a ban on opposition gatherings and pledged to restore competitive politics.
The police have prohibited the rally, citing concerns that it might incite violence, particularly due to the rally’s call for unity reminiscent of recent anti-government protests in Kenya.
A Chadema official reported to the BBC that the whereabouts of the detained leaders remain unknown, as the police have yet to issue an official statement. The BBC has reached out to the authorities for clarification.
Chadema spokesperson John Mrema revealed that police had detained and forcibly sent back groups of youths who were traveling to Mbeya for the event.
About 10,000 young people were expected to gather with the theme “Take Charge of Your Future.” However, the police have declared that such gatherings will not be permitted anywhere in the country.
The party also reported the detention of approximately 100 members in Iringa, a town near Mbeya, though they were later released and escorted back to their regions.
Chadema has condemned the detentions, with party chairman Freeman Mbowe demanding the “immediate, unconditional release” of those arrested.
Tundu Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and returned to Tanzania last year after a two-year exile in Belgium, had come back following President Samia’s lifting of the political rally ban imposed by former President John Magufuli in 2016.
Despite President Samia’s efforts to move away from Magufuli’s policies, critics argue that recent actions signal a lack of commitment to political reconciliation.
Tanzania is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections late next year.
