US urges Tanzania to uphold freedom of expression amid recent opposition arrests

Dar es Salaam. The US embassy in Tanzania has called on the government, political parties, civil society organisations and citizens to uphold and respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The US ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Michael Battle, issued the message on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, to acknowledge the release of opposition Chadema leaders, youth, journalists, and lawyers who were arrested in Mbeya.

Chadema confirmed police reports that the party leaders and supporters were released and escorted by police to their respective homes.

The party's top leaders are among the 520 individuals arrested by police as they were preparing to attend the conference to mark International Youth Day.

Arrested leaders include the Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe, vice chairman Tundu Lissu, secretary-general John Mnyika, Nyasa zone chairman Joseph Mbilinyi alias Sugu, and youth wing (Bavicha) chairman John Pambalu and his vice chairperson Moza Ally and the wing’s publicity secretary Twaha Mwaipaya.

Mr Battle posted a message on his X account, formerly Twitter, saying the US acknowledged the reported release of the party leaders whom he said sought to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

“The US strongly supports the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all as enshrined in the constitutions, which are vital for all democracies,” he said.

“We call on the government, all political parties, civil society, and citizens to uphold and respect these rights and to work together to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, inclusive, and transparent electoral process that reflects the will of the Tanzanian people,” he wrote.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday, the main opposition party accused the police of beating the party leaders during the mass arrests.

Chadema's deputy secretary general for Tanzania mainland, Mr Benson Kigaila, said Mr Mbilinyi and Mnyika were "severely beaten" during the crackdown.

“We have confirmed that Mr Mnyika and Mr Mbilinyi were severely beaten during their arrest,” Mr Kigaila said.

He further explained that the police had dragged Mr Lissu, before attacking Mr Mnyika and Mr Mbilinyi with severe beatings.

Mr Kigaila said the law enforcers also forcibly entered Nyasa Zone offices, confiscated six mobile phones and one laptop, assaulted opposition leaders, and seized property belonging to journalists.

However, the police head of operations and training, Mr Awadhi Juma Haji, said all details regarding the recent Chadema detention incident were covered in a press conference held the previous day.

“I cannot provide additional comments on the matter,” Mr Haji said, adding that recorded concerns were addressed during a press conference and that in case of new claims, they should be channeled through appropriate channels.