Tanzanian opposition leaders detained ahead of planned protests

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Tanzanian police have detained two key opposition leaders from the Chadema party ahead of planned protests in Dar es Salaam. Party chairman Freeman Mbowe was arrested on the street, while former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu was taken from his home. Chadema shared that Lissu was picked up by a convoy of vehicles, but authorities did not disclose where he was being taken.

The arrests occurred ahead of a protest organized by Chadema in response to the abduction and murder of party leader Ali Mohamed Kibao earlier this month. Kibao was found dead on September 7, a day after being kidnapped. The protest aimed to raise awareness of alleged killings and abductions of government critics.

Riot police were deployed across Dar es Salaam to prevent the demonstration, which authorities claimed would turn violent. Fourteen people were also detained for defying a protest ban. Tanzanian police had earlier warned that legal action would be taken against anyone participating in the protest.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered security forces to expedite the investigation into Kibao’s death, though the opposition party has accused security agents of being responsible. Mbowe and Lissu have been detained multiple times in the past, including during a Youth Day rally in August, where hundreds of protesters were briefly detained.