Tanzania police on Monday arrested opposition members, including prominent leader Tundu Lissu, and journalists in Dar es Salaam before planned peaceful protests calling on the government to address the abduction of opposition figures in recent months.

The opposition had called for citizens to join in the rally, which the Tanzanian government had banned, citing security concerns. Police were deployed nationwide to prevent unrest. Despite this, Tanzania’s main opposition, the Chadema Party, resolved to continue the protests.

Moments before the crackdown on the opposition, police had blocked access to the homes of two opposition leaders in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. The police further intensified their presence across Dar es Salaam to thwart the planned protests

A report by police said they had arrested 14 people, including the Chadema Party chairman Freeman Mbowe and Lissu, for defying a prohibition on the protests. However, the Chadema party has released a list of about 27 people who, according to them, have been arrested and detained by the police following Monday’s planned protests. The party also confirmed the arrest of its top officials and called on the police to respect the constitution and refrain from using excessive force to suppress the demonstrations.

According to Citizen Tanzania, Chadema’s chairman, Freeman Mbowe, was arrested on the street while addressing journalists, while his deputy, Tundu Lissu was taken from his home in Tegeta. This comes at a time when the nation is in the spotlight for political suppression and human rights abuses of those critical of President Samia Suluhu’s government.

Later on Monday, Chadema announced the release of Tundu Lissu on bail. Freeman Mbowe and Benson Kigaila were also granted bail. The party officials are currently working to ensure all the arrested members and citizens get bail.

The arrests occurred less than 3 weeks after the killing of Ally Mohammed Kibao, a member of Chadema’s secretariat. By Jabes Ojwang, Jurist