Tanzanian police ban Chadema's demonstrations amid concerns over missing persons
What you need to know:
- Chadema leaders said the planned protests aimed at pressuring the government to provide details about their members who have reportedly gone missing.
Moshi. The Police Force have banned the planned demonstrations by the opposition party Chadema slated for Dar es Salaam on September 23.
The police spokesperson David Misime, made the statement on Friday, September 13, 2024, during a press conference held at the police training college in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region.
He said Chadema’s leadership, including national chairman 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.
During a press conference at the party headquarters, Chadema leaders said the planned protests aimed at pressuring the government to provide details about their members who have reportedly gone missing.
The planned demonstration follows the disappearance and the 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.
During the event, Mr Mbowe said by September 21, 2024, concrete government actions should be visible, otherwise, the protest will proceed as planned.
"Starting Monday, September 23, 2024, the entire city of Dar es Salaam will witness our protest demanding justice for our missing people,” he said during the press conference.
“We want the government to take immediate and decisive actions to return our people; if not, those responsible should resign and be held accountable," he insisted.
The former leader of Official Opposition in Parliament (Mr Mbowe) also urged party leaders from all regions of the country to get prepared for the protests, saying, "Leaders from Morogoro, Central, Southern, Nyasa, Western, Lake Region, Serengeti, Unguja, and Pemba regions should come to Dar es Salaam for these protests."
He said that these leaders should continue to mobilise citizens from various regions of the country to converge in Dar es Salaam to join the city’s residents in the protests.
But, speaking in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Mr Misime said the law enforcement’s decision aimed to maintain the ongoing investigation following directives given by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and share final reports.
"It should be remembered that several times, Chadema leaders and supporters have been planning, coordinating strategies, and issuing statements aimed at causing inconveniences and fears of peace disruptions in the country,” he said.
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.
Emphasising, Mr Misime said anyone who takes to the streets will face severe consequences according to the country's laws.
"In this regard, the demonstrations have been banned. The police prohibit anyone invited or instructed to come to Dar es Salaam from any region for these demonstrations,” he said.
“They should not attempt to do so as the demonstrations are illegal and will not occur, so they should not waste their time and resources," emphasised Mr Misime.
He urged peace-loving citizens not to be deceived, misled, or persuaded in any way; instead, they should continue cooperating with the police by reporting any signs of crime taking place in the society.
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