Chadema sticks to its position on planned demos despite heavy police presence in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. The chairman of the main opposition party Chadema, Mr Freeman Mbowe, has confirmed that the party’s planned demonstrations will proceed as scheduled on Monday, September 23, 2024.

The protests, Mr Mbowe said, will be peaceful, aiming to memorialize leaders who have disappeared or been killed under suspicious circumstances.

He said on X Spaces on Sunday, September 22, 2024 that the party has informed the police about the planned demonstrations but has yet to receive a formal response from authorities.

Freeman Mbowe, was quoted on September 11, 2024, encouraging Dar es Salaam residents, party cadres, members and supporters to take to the streets effectively from September 23, 2024.

The call for demonstrations, Mr Mbowe said, was meant to pressure the government to provide details about their members who have reportedly gone missing.

The planned demonstration also follows the abduction and subsequent killing of the opposition party’s member of the secretariat, Ally Mohamed Kibao, whose body was later found in the Ununio area of Dar es Salaam.

But the Police Force, through its spokesperson David Misime, announced on Friday, September 13, 2024, that it was banning the planned demonstrations.

Mr Misime said at the police training college in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region on September 13 that the law enforcement’s decision aimed to maintain the ongoing investigation following directives given by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and share final reports.

Mr Misime said through his statement, that the police have warned party leaders to stop mobilising citizens to engage in the activities he described as illegal.

But speaking on X Spaces on Sunday, September 22, 2024, Mr Mbowe called on all Tanzanians—members and non-members alike—to join the demonstrations starting at 9AM.

He emphasized the party's demand for an independent investigation by Scotland Yard, citing concerns that local authorities may be implicated in the cases of missing leaders.

“We waited until September 21 for government action; now we will hold demonstrations in Dar es Salaam,” he declared, adding that they are calling for accountability, including the resignation of Minister of Home Affairs Hamad Masauni and other senior security officials.

Mbowe reiterated demands for the return of abducted party leaders, including Deusdetith Soka, Dioniz Kipanya, Jacob Mlay, and Mbwana Kombo.

Although they submitted a letter to the police expressing their intent to hold peaceful protests, police denied them protection.

He outlined that demonstrations will occur along two routes: one from Ilala Boma to Mnazi Mmoja grounds and another from Magomeni Mapipa to Mnazi Mmoja.

“Our demonstrations are for peaceful purposes; we do not intend to confront anyone or carry weapons,” he emphasized.

Citing constitutional rights to assemble and demonstrate, Mbowe expressed hope that the government would respect these rights and protect the demonstrations rather than suppress them.

Police have since Friday ramped up security patrols across Dar es Salaam, with armed officers conducting rounds.

In addition to regular patrol vehicles, officers from the Field Force Unit (FFU) were seen in different areas accompanied by water cannon trucks.

Witnesses said that police vehicles have been stationed in Ubungo, where they parked for a while before heading out for patrols in other areas, later returning to their original spot.

Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro referred to the police patrols as standard security protocol when questioned about the situation.