Tanzania Opposition Leaders Detained Ahead of Rally

Tanzania's main opposition party demanded the release of its top leaders who were detained in a mass roundup ahead of a banned youth day rally, a move condemned by rights activists as "troubling".

Those arrested include Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu -- both former presidential candidates -- as well as several other top leaders, according to party officials.

They were among 469 party members, including leaders and youth members, arrested across the country, the party said in a statement, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

Rights groups and opponents of the government voiced fears the police action could signal a return to the oppressive policies of late president John Magufuli as the country gears up for elections due late next year.

The arrests came despite his successor Samia Suluhu Hassan vowing a return to "competitive politics" and easing some restrictions on the opposition and the media, including the January 2023 lifting of a six-year ban on opposition gatherings.

Party officials said Mbowe, 62, was arrested at the airport in the southwestern city of Mbeya, the day after several other leaders including Lissu were detained.

Chadema said hundreds of youth supporters had been rounded up by police as they were making their way to Mbeya.

Tanzania's 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections will be the first since the death of Magufuli, who was nicknamed the "Bulldozer" for his authoritarian policies.

His presidency from 2015 to 2021 was marked by crackdowns on the press, freedom of speech and political opposition.

Chadema's youth wing had said about 10,000 youngsters had been expected to meet in Mbeya to mark International Youth Day.

But in announcing the ban on the event, police had accused the party of planning violent demonstrations, and made reference to widespread anti-government protests in neighboring Kenya, led largely by young activists.