Tanzania detains opposition leaders over youth day meeting

By Osoro Nyawangah, MBEYA Tanzania 

Tanzania on Monday arrested the leaders of the main opposition party Chadema on accusations of inciting violence.

Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe (C), Vice-Chairman Tundu Lissu (L) and Secretary-General John Mnyika (R) are among the arrested 

Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and the leader of the party's youth wing John Pambalu were arrested by police at an airport in the southwestern city of Mbeya, where they planned to mark International Youth Day.

Chadema's Vice-Chairman Tundu Lissu was arrested on Sunday alongside the party's Secretary-General.

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Police accused Chadema's youth wing of seeking to promote unrest and violence. The party said over 400 people were in detention.

Arrested members of Chadema transported in a police truck 

Despite relaxing restrictions on political parties, opposition leaders say violations have increased in the run-up to the 2025 election.

The International Democratic Union (IDU) has called on the Tanzanian authorities to release all members of Chadema unlawfully arrested yesterday and early today including Chairman,  Vice-Chairman,  General Secretary  and members.

IDU said "These arrests, carried out on the eve of CHADEMA’s World Youth Day rally, signify a grave infringement of the Tanzanian people’s right to free speech and freedom of assembly."

"The IDU stands in solidarity with our Tanzanian members as they fight for their country’s Democratic values."

President Samia Suluhu who took over after the death of John Magufuli is expected to run for the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.