Tanzania opposition leader arrested by police at rally, his party says

RUVUMA, Tanzania 

Tanzanian police arrested the leader of the country's main opposition party - CHADEMA, Tundu Lissu on Wednesday as he finished addressing a public meeting in Mbinga district, his party said.

Rights campaigners have accused the government of President Samia Hassan of targeting opponents ahead of a national election late this year.

The government denies the accusations.

Tundu Lissu, the firebrand politician, has been holding rallies countrywide in recent weeks under the slogan "No Reforms, No Election" to call for reforms in the way the election will be run.

"Tundu Lissu has been arrested by the police in Mbinga district when he had just finished addressing a public meeting. Up to now it is not known which police station he has been taken to," CHADEMA said in a statement sign by Director of Communication, Brenda Rupia.

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

The party has said it will petition the High Court to demand reforms ahead of a national election this year.

Rupia said that the police used teargas cannisters and live bullets to disperse the mass at the meeting. 

"Some members were arrested together with Lissu and others injured."

A regional police commander said he was in a meeting and gave no further comment when contacted.

Lissu survived being shot 16 times during an assassination attempt in 2017.