Tundu Lissu, a prominent Tanzanian opposition figure, was arrested on Sunday in Mbeya, a town in southwestern Tanzania. The arrest, along with that of two other Chadema party officials, has ignited controversy and drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers. The arrests occurred on the eve of a planned rally to commemorate World Youth Day, raising questions about the current state of political freedoms in Tanzania.
Lissu, who has been a vocal critic of the Tanzanian government, was detained just before the Chadema party’s rally, which was set to attract around 10,000 young people under the theme “Take Charge of Your Future.” This event aimed to celebrate youth engagement and activism. However, Tanzanian police intervened, citing concerns that the rally would incite violence. The police have yet to provide an official statement regarding the arrests, and efforts by the BBC to obtain a comment have so far been unsuccessful.
The detentions come a year after President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted a ban on political gatherings that had been imposed by her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2016. President Hassan’s move was initially seen as a step toward restoring competitive politics and political freedoms in Tanzania. However, the recent crackdown has raised doubts about the government’s commitment to these reforms.
Chadema, the opposition party to which Lissu belongs, has condemned the arrests as a serious violation of political rights. John Mrema, a spokesman for Chadema, reported that groups of youths traveling in hired buses were arrested and forcibly escorted back to their regions. Mrema added that approximately 100 party members had been detained in the neighboring town of Iringa but were later released and sent back to their origin.
The police’s decision to ban the rally was reportedly based on concerns over the event’s potential to incite violence, referencing the slogan used by Chadema, which called for youth to unite similarly to the protests seen in Kenya. The Tanzanian authorities’ stance has been interpreted by some as an attempt to suppress dissent and stifle political opposition under the guise of maintaining public order.
Tundu Lissu’s arrest is particularly significant given his history of political activism and the assassination attempt he survived in 2017, in which he was shot 16 times. Lissu had returned to Tanzania last year after spending two years in exile in Belgium, following the lifting of the political rally ban. His return was initially seen as a positive sign of political liberalization under President Hassan.
Despite the lifting of the rally ban, the recent arrests and the police’s actions have led to a backlash from opposition figures and human rights advocates. Freeman Mbowe, Chadema’s chairman, has called for the “immediate, unconditional release” of all detained party members, denouncing what he describes as a return to authoritarian practices.
As Tanzania approaches its presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for late next year, the current political climate is raising concerns about the government’s dedication to democratic principles. The arrest of prominent opposition figures like Lissu and the suppression of peaceful rallies suggest a troubling trend that could impact the upcoming electoral process and the broader political landscape in Tanzania.
The international community and local stakeholders will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that Tanzania’s political evolution remains in line with democratic norms and respects fundamental freedoms.
