Tanzania’s main opposition party announced Saturday that 51 of its officials have been arrested and charged with terrorism, alleging the government is employing law enforcement to intimidate critics. The arrests were reportedly in connection with planned protests this month that did not materialize due to a significant police presence.
Chadema, the opposition party, stated that the planned July 7 demonstrations, which coincided with a date commemorating the ruling party’s formation and pro-democracy protests in neighboring Kenya, were called off. Organizers had aimed to advocate for democratic reforms following the October general election, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote.
According to Chadema deputy chairperson John Heche, the party chairman Tundu Lissu has also been charged with terrorism and denied basic rights, with these charges not being eligible for bail. Terrorism convictions in Tanzania carry severe penalties, including prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.
This development follows a similar incident on Thursday where a university lecturer had their charges escalated from incitement to terrorism prior to a scheduled bail hearing on the earlier charges. Heche urged unity among Tanzanians to speak out against intimidation and called on opposition supporters to support the families of those arrested.
The Tanzanian government has not yet commented on the latest terrorism charges but has previously refuted claims of political repression. In June, the government imposed a ban on all political rallies, citing security concerns, without specifying a duration for the ban.
During the October election, thousands gathered on polling day, with reports on the number of casualties varying significantly between the government, which stated 500 deaths, and the opposition, which claimed thousands of fatalities.