Chadema urged to seek dialogue over protests
Tanzania's main opposition party Chadema's chairman Freeman Mbowe is detained by police in Dar es Salaam on September 23, 2024, during a protest to condemn a spate of kidnappings and killings in the country. PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
What you need to know:
- Despite the protest not materializing, police presence was significantly increased at Chadema’s headquarters yesterday, signalling ongoing concern about potential unrest
Dar es Salaam. Following the opposition Chadema’s foiled demonstrations on Monday, political analysts have advised the party to pursue dialogue rather than street protests, as tensions continue to escalate between the party and the government.
Despite the protest not materializing, police presence was significantly increased at Chadema’s headquarters yesterday, signalling ongoing concern about potential unrest.
The thwarted protests, which were scheduled for Monday this week, were organized to demand answers from the government regarding the disappearance of several Chadema members and the recent abduction and killing of a member of the party, Ally Mohamed Kibao, whose body was discovered in Dar es Salaam’s Ununio area.
The party chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe, who was briefly detained and later released on bail along with other opposition leaders, said the party would consult further before announcing its next steps.
“We will consult and soon announce our position on this matter,” Mbowe said after his release. Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu made a similar comment when he spoke to The Citizen yesterday. He said the party’s Central Committee was yet to meet and decide on the next course of action.
Chadema’s planned protest route in Dar es Salaam was intended to start from Ilala Boma, passing through the key areas of Magomeni Mapipa, Buguruni, and Mnazi Mmoja.
However, Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Jumanne Muliro warned that any attempt to stage the banned demonstrations would be met with swift and forceful action.
The protest was ultimately halted due to extensive police surveillance throughout the city.
During the day, about 14 supporters of the party, including key figures such as Mbowe, Lissu, and Northern Zone Chairman Godbless Lema were arrested. However, they were all released later on bail in the evening.
Former MP Anna Abdallah, in an interview with The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi, emphasized the importance of peace, urging dialogue over confrontation.
“Peace is the foundation of development. Without peace, people find themselves in difficult situations, so it’s essential for people to communicate and come together,” Abdallah said.
A political analyst from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Dr Paul Luisuile, said yesterday that though the protests were thwarted, Chadema’s message had still been delivered.
“The police presence and their preparedness in shutting down key areas speaks volumes,” he said. “Images of the scene have spread, raising questions worldwide about what is happening in Tanzania.”
Dr Luisuile further pointed out that the government must address incidents of abduction and killings, such as the case of Ally Mohamed Kibao.
He urged that the focus should shift to broader discussions on democracy.
“We need to move beyond discussing just these incidents and start having a broader dialogue on democracy,” he suggested.
Addressing the media, Commander Muliro confirmed that the 14 individuals were being questioned for defying the police order to halt the banned protests. He refuted claims that the opposition leaders had been abducted.
“They are being questioned based on legal grounds, and we urge citizens to remain calm and continue with their daily activities without fear,” he said.
