Tanzania’s pre-election tensions deepen as opposition official arrested
The episode underscores the uneasy political climate in Tanzania, where civic space remains constrained despite promises of reform under President Samia.
A senior official from Tanzania's main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), was arrested on Wednesday outside a Dar es Salaam court where the treason trial of party leader Tundu Lissu was underway, heightening political tensions a week before the country's presidential election.
Chadema's deputy chair, John Heche, was detained without explanation and later transferred to Tarime, in the country's northwest, according to party officials.
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His arrest follows growing accusations by opposition leaders and human-rights groups that the government has intensified abductions and arrests of political figures ahead of the October 29 poll.
The government has denied such claims.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan insists her administration is committed to upholding human rights and has previously ordered an inquiry into alleged abductions, though no findings have been made public.
Both Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, Tanzania's two largest opposition parties, have been barred from contesting the upcoming election, effectively leaving President Samia to face minor challengers.
The immigration department later claimed Heche had left the country illegally, an accusation his party rejected, saying he was due to attend the funeral of Kenya's late former prime minister, Raila Odinga.
The episode underscores the uneasy political climate in Tanzania, where civic space remains constrained despite promises of reform under President Samia.
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