Mass Arrests of CHADEMA Leaders Spark Tensions in Tanzania

Tanzanian police arrested senior leaders of the main opposition party CHADEMA and hundreds of supporters ahead of a scheduled meeting. Among those detained were Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu and Secretary General John Mnyika. The arrests come amid rising political tensions under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration.

Tanzanian police have detained senior leaders from the main opposition party CHADEMA, along with hundreds of their supporters, as tensions escalate ahead of a scheduled meeting. Party spokesperson John Mrema confirmed the arrests on Monday.

Among those apprehended on Sunday evening were CHADEMA's Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu, who has expressed aspirations to run for the presidency next year, and the party's Secretary General, John Mnyika. Lissu remains a significant figure in Tanzanian politics, prompting widespread concern over these latest developments.

While President Samia Suluhu Hassan had previously relaxed political and media restrictions since assuming office in 2021, her administration has been criticized for recent arrests tied to political activities. CHADEMA's youth wing meeting, intended to celebrate International Youth Day, was banned by police over fears it could incite unrest.

(With inputs from agencies.)