Tanzanian police recently detained opposition leaders, including former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, and at least 500 youth supporters as they halted a planned rally in Mbeya. The police cited concerns of violence as the reason for banning the rally, which was intended to mark International Youth Day. Chadema party officials strongly condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of those detained.
Critics argue that the arrests of opposition figures are evidence of stalled democratic progress in Tanzania, especially as the country gears up for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2025. In recent months, the opposition has been protesting against controversial bills, rising living costs, and lack of independent oversight in the electoral process.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in 2021, has taken steps towards political reforms by lifting a ban on opposition rallies imposed by her predecessor, John Magufuli. Since then, political exiles like Tundu Lissu have returned to Tanzania. However, the recent arrests of opposition leaders and supporters have raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country.
Chadema officials have called on President Hassan to intervene and address the situation. The ban on the youth gathering in Mbeya was denounced by the opposition party, which had planned for about 10,000 youngsters to attend the event. The crackdown on opposition activities in Tanzania has sparked outrage and calls for the government to uphold democratic principles.
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