Tanzanian police, has released several leaders from main opposition party, CHADEMA.
It was gathered that other hundreds of their supporters were released.
The development is coming, following mass arrests that occurred due to a prohibited youth gathering in the southwestern region of the country.
A party representative confirmed the release of its leaders and supporters to journalists.
Throughout Sunday and Monday, authorities apprehended more than 500 supporters of CHADEMA, including the party’s Chairman, Freeman Mbowe and Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu.
Human rights organizations have condemned the arrests, with Amnesty International stating that they are intended to intimidate the opposition in anticipation of the local government elections scheduled for later this year and the national election set for 2025.
Authorities prohibited the gathering in the city of Mbeya that the youth wing of CHADEMA intended to conduct on Monday, citing concerns that it could potentially “disturb the peace.”
Police Commissioner Awadh Haji stated late on Monday, “We will not allow a small number of criminals to undermine peace by emulating the unrest occurring in neighbouring countries,” likely alluding to the recent youth-led protests in Kenya that have sparked similar demonstrations in Nigeria and Uganda.
CHADEMA spokesperson John Mrema verified that the party’s senior leadership has been released; however, he noted that reports are indicating that some supporters from the youth wing in Mbeya remain in custody.
Sarah Jackson, the deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International, issued a statement on Monday urging Tanzanian authorities to “cease arbitrary arrests and detentions of political opposition figures and to halt the intensifying suppression of civic freedoms.”
Since assuming office in 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has implemented certain measures to relax media and opposition restrictions; however, human rights advocates claim that arbitrary detentions persist.
