Tanzanian police, opposition party trade accusations over cancelled event

Dar es Salaam. Chadema and law enforcement traded accusations on Monday, August 12 following the sudden cancellation of an International Youth Day event planned by the opposition party.

Chadema's youth wing, known by its Kiswahili acronym as Bavicha, had been actively mobilising supporters from across Tanzania to gather in Mbeya for the International Youth Day event, which was scheduled for August 12.

"However, the event was abruptly cancelled after police intervened, accusing the opposition of a potential breach of peace."

The police and the Registrar of Political Parties cited concerns that the event could incite unrest and violence, which is contrary to the Political Parties Act.

Consequently, police issued a prohibition on the gathering, vowing to enforce the ban and take action against any violators.

On Sunday, the police force detained 443 individuals, including Chadema's Deputy Chairman for Mainland Tundu Lissu, Secretary-General John Mnyika and Nyasa Zone Chairman Joseph Mbilinyi, as they were strategising the event's execution.

Further developments revealed that Chadema's national chairman, Freeman Mbowe, and Bavicha chairman John Pambalu were also detained yesterday, as they arrived in Mbeya for solidarity.

"Chadema demands the immediate release of all arrested leaders and members, and we will not allow or accept that our leaders and members spend the night in custody tonight," said Chadema deputy secretary general for the Tanzania mainland, Mr Benson Kigaila.

Announcing the ban on Sunday, the police chief in charge of operations and training, Mr Awadh Haji, said the force had "clear indications that their aim is not to celebrate International Youth Day but to initiate and engage in violence."

 Fear for violence

Chadema accused the registrar of political parties of inciting the arrest of the party leaders, saying it received a letter banning the meeting.

According to the letter signed by the Deputy Registrar of Political Parties, Mr Sisty Nyahoza, statements by some Bavicha leaders that made reference to Kenya demonstrations encouraged violence in Tanzania.

“The recent statements by Chadema officials, including remarks by Twaha Mwaipaya, are seen as potentially breaching regulations. Mwaipaya's video, which encouraged a large gathering on August 12 in Mbeya, was interpreted as promoting actions that could lead to legal violations and public disorder similar to those occurring in Kenya,” he stated.

He also raised concerns over the involvement of foreign political figures in Chadema's activities.

 Condemning arrests

The arrest of the Chadema top leaders ignited condemnations from political parties and human rights activists who described the action as a setback to democracy in Tanzania.

Opposition party ACT Wazalendo issued a statement condemning the arrest of Chadema leaders.

“We strongly condemn the arrest of Chadema's top leaders and preventing the celebration of International Youth Day…These actions reignite fears of a swift return to repressive conditions that hinder opposition political parties from freely carrying out their activities,” the party said in a statement signed by Party Leader Dorothy Semu.

“ACT Wazalendo considers the actions being carried out by the police against Chadema leaders as a threat to all serious opposition parties and the multiparty democracy in the country,” she said, urging unconditional release of the opposition figures.

She said the police move was against political reforms, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was touting.

However, such a notion was countered by the policy, which said the ban was specific for the Chadema gathering.

“The police would like to inform the public that it has not banned public or indoor meetings, as long as they adhere to the laws. What was prohibited is the gathering organised by Chadema leaders under the pretext of celebrating the youth day.”

The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) also condemned the arrests, describing them as unconstitutional.

"THRDC is deeply concerned about this constitutional violation and believes that these ongoing arrests undermine the spirit of reconciliation, resilience, reforms, and rebuilding (4Rs) that President Samia Suluhu has been promoting," it stated.

"We call upon the Inspector General of Police to immediately release all those arrested without conditions," it added.

The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) said the ban on meetings and arrests of opposition leaders contradict President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s lifting of the ban on public gatherings and other political rallies, which had been imposed since 2016.

"This incident appears to be discriminatory, as we have observed youth from other political parties commemorating their events without any hindrance,” it stated.