Heavily armed Tanzania police block presidential candidate's convoy

By Our Correspondent, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

A group of heavily armed Tanzanian police force officers intercepted entourage of main opposition party (CHADEMA) presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, from leaving Dar es Salaam on Tuesday afternoon.

Lissu whose campaign was barred for a week by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for "violation" of election ethics was travelling to a neighbouring Coastal region to participate in a community event.

Vice Chairman of the party and presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu

The ban by NEC was imposed following complaints from the ruling CCM party and another NRA party.

The parties accused Lissu of falsely claiming that president John Magufuli had held a secret meeting returning officers with intention of influencing the outcome of the polls.

Lissu, his security detail and senior party officials were making headway to Kibaha town  when they were intercepted by the security officers at Kiluvya village.

A 45-seconds long video clip shared by the opposition party (CHADEMA) on their Twitter page shows some armed officers in a Landcruiser as others mill around the scene. 

They are dressed in their uniforms and helmets and appear not in a hurry to let Lissu’s team leave.

Lissu who talked to journalist after seven-hours stop said that he was not going to a campaign rally, but had a community task to attend to as Vice Chairman of the party.

"NEC has maliciously stopped my campaigns, I know that! But as you can see the ruling party is using police to stop me from doing other community based work." Lissu said, adding that he was travelling to Kibaha to visit market, open new party branches and meet leaders in a closed-door meeting.

The outspoken and main critic of the current government told the press that he and his officer are not returning to Dar es Salaam city but will stay at the road as long as police want.

"We are being prevented by heavily armed police officers from proceeding with our journey to an internal meeting. I’m not going anywhere. I’m a free citizen and a presidential candidate. These dictatorial methods have got to stop now!" He said.

The coastal region police commander, Wankyo Nyigesa, has vowed not to allow the opposition leader to drive beyond the roadblock.

"I have heard that Tundu Lissu doesn't want to go back to Dar es Salaam and instead spend the night here at the road, that's good for he will accompany our officers who are used to spend nights patrolling." Nyigesa said.  

The police commander later ordered arrest of a number of people at the scene believed to be CHADEMA followers for what they termed as accompanying the party's Presidential candidate in campaigning.

The coastal region police commander, Wankyo Nyigesa,

He said they had received intelligence report that Lissu was planning to launch and lead his party members to hoist flags at a number of their offices in Coast region.“

It was revealed to us that he would first pass by Mlandizi market before heading to their offices in Mtabani, Mlandizi, Zanati crossroads for the hoisting of flags in an open space,” he said.

He added: “If you remember Lissu was suspended from conducting his campaigns for seven days and what he is trying to do is tantamount to the same thing.