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| The arrests have escalated political tensions, with opposition leaders claiming they were aimed at undermining their election momentum. Photo: Courtesy |
Freeman
Mbowe, Chairman of Chadema, and several other opposition leaders were released
on bail on November 23, 2024, after being arrested during election campaigns in
Songwe Region. Among those freed are Nyasa Zone Chairman Joseph Mbilinyi (Sugu)
and ACT-Wazalendo Songwe Chairman Elia Zambi. However, Chadema activist Mdude
Nyagali remains in police custody for further questioning, fueling concerns
about the treatment of opposition leaders in Tanzania.
The
arrests, made on November 22, were linked to allegations of breaching local
government election campaign regulations. Songwe Regional Police Commander
Augustine Senga claimed that Mbowe and his group held an unauthorized rally in
Mbozi District, which led to a confrontation that allegedly injured two police
officers and one civilian.
"We
are indeed holding Mr. Mbowe and several others for violations tied to campaign
activities," Senga stated, adding that political parties must strictly
follow electoral laws.
Chadema
has strongly refuted the police’s claims, with the party describing the arrests
as a clear attempt to disrupt their campaigns ahead of the November 27 local
elections. Chadema's Director of Protocol, John Mrema, accused the police of
ambushing Mbowe’s convoy in Halungu Forest after blocking their path and
forcefully detaining them.
“The
rally in Mlowo was lawful, yet the police used tear gas to disrupt it and later
ambushed our convoy,” Mrema said. He called for the immediate release of Mdude
Nyagali and criticized the continued harassment of opposition leaders.
The
incident has heightened political tensions, with opposition figures alleging
that the arrests were orchestrated to weaken their electoral momentum. Among
those briefly detained were Chadema’s Head of Digital Platforms, Appolinary Boniface,
and three aides of Mbowe. Chadema claims that the police's actions were part of
a larger strategy to suppress dissent and intimidate their supporters.
Chadema
has strongly contested this narrative. In a public statement, the party’s
Director of Protocol, Ideology, and Foreign Affairs, John Mrema, described the
arrests as a premeditated ambush.
He
explained that the convoy, which included Mbowe, had held peaceful campaign
meetings in Itaka Ward, Itewe Village, and Halungu Town in Mbozi District. The
campaign was part of a collaborative effort with ACT-Wazalendo.
“The
convoy was intercepted and attacked in Halungu Forest,” Mrema stated. “Police
had earlier prevented us from holding a meeting in Mlowo Town, despite it being
a joint rally organized with ACT-Wazalendo. Instead of engaging constructively,
the authorities dispersed the crowd using tear gas.”
Among
those arrested are prominent Chadema figures, including Nyasa Zone Chairman
Joseph Mbilinyi, better known as Sugu and former Mbozi East Member of
Parliament Pascal Haonga. Others include the party’s head of digital platforms,
Appolinary Boniface, Nyasa Zone communications officer Paul Joseph, activist
Calvin Ndabila, and cadre Mdude Nyagali. Mbowe’s aides and an ACT-Wazalendo
district chairman were also taken into custody.
The
arrests have triggered a wave of condemnation, with Chadema accusing
authorities of systematically undermining the opposition’s ability to campaign
freely. “This is a calculated move to derail our efforts to remove CCM from power,”
Mrema said, urging supporters to continue their campaigns undeterred. He also
called on the international community to take note of the situation,
highlighting the shrinking democratic space in Tanzania.
The
crackdown has sparked broader outrage, with prominent voices speaking out
against what they see as a return to political repression. Former Evangelical
Lutheran Church Bishop Fredrick Shoo issued a strong rebuke, calling on
religious leaders to unite in condemning the escalating intimidation.
“This
country was once known for its political tolerance,” Bishop Shoo said in a
viral clip. “If this is how Mbowe is treated during civic polls, what will
happen during the 2025 General Elections?” Shoo criticized the Electoral
Commission for its perceived lack of independence, suggesting it operates under
political influence.
“The term ‘independent’ in the Electoral
Commission is meaningless if those in charge lack integrity. Who appoints them?
Who funds them? We need reforms to ensure our democratic processes are
credible,” he said.
Shoo
also expressed concern about the erosion of governance standards and the
concentration of power in the hands of a few. He lamented the disregard for
constitutional amendments and accused authorities of ignoring public opinion on
key issues, including the controversial DP World contract. “Tanzania belongs to
all of us. Its future should not be dictated by a handful of individuals. We
need leaders with integrity, patriotism, and a commitment to justice,” he said.
Chadema
Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu echoed similar concerns, pointing to what he
described as a betrayal of earlier hopes for political reconciliation. “When
President Samia Suluhu Hassan introduced the 4R strategy, we thought it was a
step forward. Even Mbowe participated in the process, believing in the
possibility of genuine reforms,” Lissu said. “But over time, it has become
clear that this was just a ploy to weaken the opposition further.”
Lissu
decried the worsening political climate, describing it as hostile to opposition
parties. “Practicing politics in Tanzania has become an act of defiance.
Opposition leaders are treated as though they are not citizens of this country.
This is not the democracy we aspire to build,” he added.
The
arrests in Songwe and the subsequent public backlash come as Tanzania prepares
for a critical electoral period. The stakes are high, with civic polls viewed
as a litmus test for the 2025 General Elections. For many, the events of the
past few days are an ominous reminder of the political tensions that have
marred Tanzania’s democratic progress in recent years.
An
activist from the Songwe Region, who requested to remain anonymous, has
condemned the recent incident involving Mdude Mpaluka Nyagali and the police,
stating that what occurred was not an arrest, but an assault and invasion by
police against an unarmed civilian.
The activist revealed plans to travel to
Songwe to meet with Nyagali, who has reportedly been denied the right to
consult with his lawyers, a violation of both the Constitution and the law.
The
activist emphasized that they will not hesitate to take legal action against
the police officers involved in the assault, as well as those who issued orders
allowing the attack, which was witnessed by bystanders and widely shared on social
media.
In
addition, the activist announced that they would file an urgent petition in the
High Court of Tanzania to challenge the unlawful detention of Nyagali,
demanding that his legal rights be respected and justice be served.
In
contrast, CCM officials, led by Amos Makalla, dismissed these accusations,
insisting that their party strictly adheres to campaign regulations. “We
respect the schedules and conduct ourselves in an orderly manner. Others should
do the same,” Makalla said, adding that CCM would not be drawn into unnecessary
political disputes.
The
arrests and subsequent release of Mbowe and others have raised questions about
the state of political freedoms in Tanzania. With Mdude Nyagali still held and
opposition leaders alleging biased treatment, concerns are growing over the
impartiality of the electoral process as the nation heads toward the November
polls and the crucial 2025 general elections.
As
the opposition renews its calls for reforms, the government’s actions will be
closely scrutinized, both domestically and internationally. With concerns about
the integrity of electoral institutions and rising political intolerance, the
road to 2025 is already fraught with challenges. The question now is whether
Tanzania’s leaders will steer the nation toward reconciliation or further
deepen the divisions that threaten its democratic foundations.
