NAIROBI, Kenya — Tanzania’s leading opposition party announced Saturday that authorities have arrested 51 of its officials and hit them with terrorism charges, with the party accusing the government of weaponizing law enforcement to silence political opposition.
Chadema deputy chairperson John Heche said the arrests stem from protests that were planned for this month but never happened due to an overwhelming police presence on the streets.
The demonstrations had been set for July 7, a date that marks the founding of Tanzania’s ruling party and one that has also become linked to pro-democracy protests in neighboring Kenya. Those who organized the planned demonstrations were demanding democratic reforms in the wake of a disputed general election held last October, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared victorious with 98% of the vote.
Heche also said that Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu has been stripped of his basic rights and faces the same terrorism charges — offenses that do not allow for bail.
Terrorism convictions in Tanzania carry harsh consequences, with sentences ranging anywhere from 10 years behind bars to life imprisonment.
Earlier on Thursday, a university lecturer saw his charges escalated from incitement to terrorism, just ahead of a scheduled hearing on his original charges.
“I urge all Tanzanians to unite and speak out against blackmail and intimidation,” Heche said.
He added that the party’s legal team would represent all of the arrested officials and called on opposition supporters to check in on and assist their families during this time.
The Tanzanian government has not responded to the latest terrorism accusations, though it has previously pushed back against claims of political repression.
Back in June, the government placed a ban on all political gatherings, citing security concerns, without indicating how long the restriction would stay in effect.
During last October’s election, thousands of citizens took to the streets on voting day. Accounts of the resulting death toll vary widely — the government reported 500 deaths, while the opposition maintains the actual number ran into the thousands.
