Tanzania opposition leaders detained amidst youth day celebration controversy

Dar es Salaam. A total of 61 people, including top officials from the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), have been detained by police, sparking tension as the party planned to commemorate International Youth Day.

Among those arrested are Chadema’s Deputy Chairman for Mainland, Tundu Lissu, Secretary-General, John Mnyika, and the Nyasa Zone Chairman, Joseph Mbilinyi.

The party's Director of Protocol, Communications and Foreign Affairs, John Mrema, told The Citizen on late on Sunday that police officers in Mbeya, including the Regional Police Commander (RPC) and Regional Crime Officer (RCO), visited the Chadema Nyasa Zone offices in the region at around 8pm as they sought to interrogate the leaders for the party's young wing which is popularly known as Bavicha. 

Those sought for interrogations by the police included the Bavicha Deputy Chairman, Mr Moza Ally and the wing's National Propaganda Secretary, Mr Twaha Mwaipaya.

“The police had previously stated that the Chadema youth activities had signs of threatening public peace,” he said.

“After discussions, it was agreed that only the Bavicha leaders would go with the police for questioning. However, the police unexpectedly changed their stance and arrested everyone present at the office,” he explained.

The detainees were reportedly taken to Utengule Police Station in Mbalizi, Mbeya, a significant distance from where they were initially arrested.

Mrema expressed concern over the relocation and stated, “We have been in talks with the police, even reaching out to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), but we have yet to find a satisfactory resolution.”

In a statement released by Chadema, the party condemned the restrictions placed on their members who were en route to Mbeya to mark International Youth Day on August 12th. 

They claimed that non-CCM youth in Tanzania were being unjustly prohibited from gathering by the police and the Deputy Registrar of Political Parties, Sisty Nyahoza.

“The Registrar’s directive to the police, based on baseless predictions, is the reason for the arrest and prohibition of youth nationwide who were traveling to Mbeya to celebrate their day,” part of the statement reads.

Chadema’s statement criticized the police for charging youth with severe, fabricated crimes, such as human trafficking, citing incidents at the Mikese Police Station in Morogoro as evidence of the force’s tendency to frame people. They urged President Samia Suluhu Hassan to intervene, arguing that without her involvement, the President’s commitment to the “4R” agenda is questionable.

"By 6pm., over 281 youth were reportedly held at various police stations, including Temeke (11), Mbeya (10), Iringa Central Station (104), Migori Ismani (35), Makambako (74), and Mikese Morogoro (48)," reads another part of the statement.

Chadema's National Chairman, Freeman Mbowe castigated the police action on his X account, stating, “We strongly condemn the police for arresting our top party leaders, including Bavicha leaders. We demand the immediate, unconditional release of our leaders, members, and supporters arrested across the country.”

Earlier, 20 Coaster buses carrying members of Chadema’s youth wing were reportedly stopped by police while traveling to Mbeya for the Youths' Day celebrations.

Despite the obstacles, Bavicha announced that preparations for the event continued, with plans to gather at the Ruanda Nzovwe grounds in Mbeya on Monday, August 12th.

The police and the Registrar of Political Parties have claimed that the event has signs of promoting unrest and violence, contrary to the Political Parties Act. The police have issued a prohibition on the event, pledging to enforce the ban and take action against violators.

In response, Bavicha’s Deputy Chairman, Moza Ally, urged all youth whose journeys were halted to block the roads until the police allow them to proceed to Mbeya.

“There were no issues with the CCM youth event in Zanzibar, so why are we facing sabotage when attempting to celebrate International Youth Day?” Ally questioned.

Bavicha leaders declared that they were prepared to commemorate the day regardless of the obstacles, with Deputy Chairman Tundu Lissu expected to attend. According to John Mrema, young people were held at various police stations, including those in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Iringa, Njombe, and Morogoro.

In light of Bavicha’s mobilization, the police have prohibited any form of gathering in or outside Mbeya under the disguise of International Youth Day celebrations. The police stated that the gatherings intended to disrupt peace in Mbeya and other areas of the country.

Earlier on Sunday, Police Commissioner for Operations and Training, Awadhi Juma Haji, addressed the press in Mbeya, forbidding the preparations and instructing Regional Police Commanders (RPCs) to enforce the ban.

“The police force is fully prepared to handle those who attempt to defy this directive,” said Haji.

Haji said individuals traveling to Mbeya for the event were advised to stop their journeys, and RPCs were instructed to monitor and arrest those intending to participate.

“We are committed to maintaining peace and will take necessary legal actions against anyone who defies the prohibition,” he added.

Before the police ban, Chadema’s Secretary-General, John Mnyika, took to social media, urging President Samia and the IGP, Mr Camilius Wambura, to halt what he termed as unlawful actions against Bavicha's legitimate activities.

“Stop the illegal actions by the police against Bavicha’s preparations for International Youth Day. This suppression is against our rights and disrespects the 4R principles you claim to uphold,” Mnyika wrote.

Tundu Lissu also expressed his dismay on social media, appealing to President Hassan to ensure the police do not use force against the youth celebrating the day: “…International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide. Why are your police stopping Chadema youth on the roads and arresting them?”

Lissu declared, “To all the youth heading to Mbeya, I am also on my way to join you. If it means being stopped or arrested, let them do the same to me. This is not a time for silence, fear, or sugar-coating. We must stand and be counted. Let us raise our voices with all our might,” he asserted.