Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | By Michael Wandati | Tanzanian police arrested two prominent opposition leaders on Monday in a bid to prevent anti-government demonstrations in Dar es Salaam.
Freeman Mbowe, chairman of the main opposition party Chadema, was detained in the streets, while his deputy, Tundu Lissu, was taken from his home. The arrests occurred as Chadema prepared to protest alleged killings and abductions of government critics.
Rights activists accuse President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of targeting political opponents ahead of local elections in December and the 2025 national vote.
Authorities confirmed that 14 individuals, including Mbowe and Lissu, were arrested for defying a ban on the protests.
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The government has yet to comment, though it has previously stated that it upholds democratic values and opposes violence.
Chadema, via social media platform X, revealed that Mbowe was arrested in the Magomeni area while leading what they described as a peaceful protest.
They also reported that Lissu was taken away by a convoy of 11 vehicles, with no indication of his destination.
