Authorities in Tanzania have ordered the arrest of ten senior officials from the main opposition party, Chadema, as part of a crackdown that followed deadly protests after the country’s disputed elections.
According to a statement from the Tanzanian Police, those targeted include John Mnyika, Chadema’s Secretary-General; Brenda Rupia, the party’s spokesperson; and central committee members Godbless Lema and Boniface Jacob.
The party’s president, Tundu Lissu, who was barred from running in the election, has been detained since April on charges of treason. His deputy, John Heche, has been in police custody since October 22 without formal charges being filed.
Josephat Gwajima, a religious leader and former member of parliament for the ruling party — who has spoken out against the abduction of opposition members and advocated for electoral reforms — is also the subject of an arrest warrant.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, declared the winner of the October 29 elections with nearly 98% of the vote, said her government would use “all available security measures to keep the country safe.” Attorney General Hamza Johari also pledged to introduce new and stricter laws to curb unrest.
Organizations such as Amnesty International have accused the authorities of committing serious human rights violations before, during, and after the elections. Chadema alleges that security forces killed more than a thousand people during the protests, which led to the imposition of a curfew and an internet blackout.
Police and government spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment.
Source: Reuters
