Tanzania’s opposition leader was detained at a demonstration, according to his party

The head of Tanzania’s biggest opposition party was arrested by Tanzanian police on Wednesday after concluding a speech at a public gathering, according to his organization.

Ahead of a national election later this year, rights activists have charged that President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration is targeting opponents. The charges are refuted by the government.

“No Reforms, No Election” is the motto of protests held nationwide in recent weeks by Tundu Lissu, the chairman of the main opposition party CHADEMA, to demand changes to the way the election would be conducted.

“Tundu Lissu was arrested by the Mbinga district police after concluding his speech at a public gathering. Which police station he was brought to is unknown at this time,” CHADEMA stated on its X account.

“The chairman has been arrested with other party members, and the police officers are dispersing the public using teargas at the venue.”

When contacted by Reuters, a regional police commander claimed he was in a meeting and declined to comment further.

In 2017, Lissu survived a 2017 assassination attempt in which she was shot sixteen times.