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| The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania echoed these concerns, urging the Tanzanian authorities to ensure accountability and protect the rights of all citizens. Photo: Courtesy |
By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga—Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe has reaffirmed the party's commitment to peaceful protests scheduled for Monday, September 23, 2024, despite police attempts to ban them. The demonstrations aim to condemn the recent spate of abductions and killings, including the tragic case of one of their members.
On September 11, Chadema announced the protests to address escalating violence, but police spokesperson David Misime declared them unlawful. In response, police have ramped up their presence in key areas of Dar es Salaam, utilizing water cannons and patrols to deter the protests.
Speaking on September 22, 2024, in a message on X (formerly Twitter), Mbowe urged both party supporters and non-affiliated Tanzanians to join the demonstrations, which will begin at 3 PM. He emphasized that the protests are not just a display of dissent but a crucial call for accountability, including the resignation of Interior Minister Hamad Masauni and senior security officials.
Mbowe highlighted their demands, which include the return of kidnapped party leaders, such as Deusdetith Soka and Jacob Mlay, either alive or deceased. He criticized the government’s failure to respond to their requests for an independent investigation into the abductions, urging that they would continue with the planned protests if no meaningful action was taken.
He stated, “We have formally notified the police of our intentions to protest, yet instead of providing security, they opted to prohibit our right to assemble.” After consulting with fellow leaders, he confirmed that the protests would proceed along two routes: from Ilala Boma to Mnazi Mmoja and from Magomeni Mapipa to Mnazi Mmoja, where all participants would gather.
Mbowe, a former MP for Hai, asserted that Chadema does not condone lawlessness and stressed their constitutional right to assemble peacefully. He condemned the rising incidents of abduction that have tarnished the nation’s image, particularly referencing the abduction of Chadema’s Ali Kibao on September 6, 2024, and the subsequent discovery of his body.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan condemned these violent acts, demanding thorough investigations to bring those responsible to justice and restore peace in the nation. She emphasized that the government must act decisively against such heinous crimes that threaten the fabric of society.
The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania echoed these concerns, urging the Tanzanian authorities to ensure accountability and protect the rights of all citizens. They stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the right to peaceful assembly. As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, emphasizing that true stability can only be achieved through justice and transparency.