Tanzanian authorities forbid a meeting and detain prominent opposition figures

Ahead of a conference in the Southwest of Tanzania, police arrested top officials of the main opposition party Chadema and hundreds of its followers, the party claimed on Monday.

Monday’s arrests of Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and youth wing leader John Pambalu at a provincial airport were reported on party social media site X.

Party spokesman John Mrema told Reuters that the Vice-Chairman Tundu Lissu and Secretary-General John Mnyika were arrested one day earlier.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reduced media restrictions and removed a ban on political demonstrations after ascending to power in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor.

She has, however, been under fire from rights organizations and opposition groups for detention last year of people organizing demonstrations against a port management agreement.

The most recent arrests followed the restriction of a conference scheduled by Chadema’s youth wing Bavicha, stating the event probably would disturb the peace.

Police claimed that young leaders of the party intended to convince young people all around to meet and show in Mbeya, a city in Southwest Tanzania, which a party spokesman refuted.

Mrema said the meeting celebrated International Youth Day, when key party officials like Mbowe were scheduled to speak to the young people.

The spokesman said, “There are more than 400 persons who have been arrested by the police.”

David Misime, a police spokesman, did not reply to Reuters inquiries for comments.

Late on Sunday on X, Mbowe had said, “We demand the immediate and unreserved release of all our leaders, members, and loved ones who were arrested in various parts of the country.”