Leaders arrested following police chief’s warning of tough measures to block protest.
Police in Tanzania made arrests pertaining to a planned protest organized by the main opposition party, Chadema, against the government. Leaders of Chadema were taken into custody, with additional arrests being made in the Magomeni area of Dar-es-Salaam where protesters had gathered to rally against alleged government atrocities.
The crackdown has raised concerns about increased political repression in Tanzania ahead of local elections and the national vote next year. The arrests come after Dar-es-Salaam police chief warned of strict actions to prevent the rally, with riot police deployed across the city.
Chadema has accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of reverting to repressive tactics used by her predecessor. The party alleges government involvement in the disappearance and killing of its members, including senior party official Ali Mohamed Kibao.
Rights groups and foreign governments have criticized the crackdowns as undemocratic. Despite assurances of a peaceful protest, Chadema leaders faced arrests by police wielding riot gear, fueling concerns of growing political suppression in Tanzania.
[ad_2]
Source link
