Tanzania: Opposition leadership has demanded the release of opposition leaders Freeman Mbowe and Tundu Lissu.

Freeman Mbowe, the chairman of Tanzania’s Chadema party, along with his deputy Tundu Lissu, was detained at an airport in Mbeya on Monday.

Their arrest has sparked a widespread outcry from Tanzania’s main opposition party.

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Chadema Party is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of its leaders and hundreds of other arrested party members.

In its fresh demands, the Chadema party insists that the arrest of its leaders has no basis.

The arrests were part of a mass roundup that occurred ahead of a banned youth day rally, which Chadema had planned to hold despite police warnings.

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Chadema members arrested

In total, 469 party members, including top leaders and youth members, were detained across Tanzania.

These actions have sparked concern among rights groups and government critics, who fear a return to the alleged oppressive tactics seen during the presidency of John Magufuli.

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s secretary general, Emmanuel Nchimbi, has also expressed concern, requesting consideration for the release of the political leaders. 

Meanwhile, global rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the mass arrests.

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Tanzania presidential elections

Additionally, they have called for the immediate release of those detained or have them charged with a recognizable criminal offense.

This situation has reignited fears of a return to repressive conditions in Tanzania, particularly as the country prepares for its 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections.

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These elections will be the first since the passing of President Magufuli.

Chadema’s youth wing had planned to gather around 10,000 supporters to mark International Youth Day in Mbeya.

However, the police banned the event, accusing the party of planning violent demonstrations similar to those in neighboring Kenya.

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