Tanzanian police have arrested prominent Chadema opposition party figure Tundu Lissu and several other party leaders, according to a Chadema official. The arrests took place in Mbeya, a southwestern city where the party was scheduled to hold a rally on Monday in celebration of International Youth Day, Chadema's director of communications and foreign affairs, John Mrema, posted on X late Sunday.
Police had announced a ban on the Chadema youth gathering earlier on Sunday, accusing the party of planning violent protests. Despite the ban, the Chadema youth wing had expected around 10,000 young people to gather in Mbeya under the slogan "Take charge of your future" to mark the day.
Chadema leader Freeman Mbowe strongly condemned the arrests, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all leaders, members, and supporters detained across the country. "The party is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to inform the public of every development step by step," he stated on X.
Chadema officials had criticized the police ban on Sunday, urging President Samia Suluhu Hassan to intervene in the matter.
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