Tanzania opposition leader arrested ahead of planned nationwide protests  against election result

John Magufuli was re-elected in a landslide victory

Credit: ANTHONY SIAME/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Police in Tanzania have detained several opposition figures ahead of planned nationwide protests after strongman president John Magufuli was reelected with an 84 per cent landslide in last week’s election that critics claim was littered with irregularities.

Freeman Mbowe, chair of the opposition Chadema party, was arrested at his house on Sunday evening and taken to a police station outside of the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam, a lawyer for the party told the Telegraph.

At least four other party figures have been arrested, he said, requesting anonymity for fear of being arrested.

Dar es Salaam police commander Lazaro Mambosasa told state-owned media Habari Leo on Monday he is holding seven people on suspicion of inciting the protests.

The political leaders detained include the former mayor of Dar es Salaam, Isaya Mwita, and former MP Godbless Lema, as well as the former mayor of Ubungo municipality, Boniface Jacob. 

The opposition has rejected the results of last week’s poll and is demanding new elections after several independent bodies raised strong doubts about the integrity of the vote, amid reports of fraud, violence and social media blackouts.

Chadema’s candidate, Tundu Lissu, is a prominent human rights lawyer and former MP who survived being shot by 16 times by unknown gunmen in September 2017. He officially won 14 percent of the ballot and had not been detained, according to party sources.

Mr Lissu said thousands of polling agents from the party were denied access to polling stations. The national electoral commission denies any wrongdoing.

James Duddridge, the British Minister for Africa,  on Monday raised his concern over the fraud accusations. 

"The UK is concerned by widespread allegations of interference in the country’s elections, including pre-filled ballot boxes and party agents being denied entry to polling stations. We are also deeply troubled by the reports of violence and heavy-handed policing in the elections, including the arrest of opposition political leaders"

The UK has called for a transparent investigation into the vote.

The United States Embassy in Tanzania called on the government to "ensure the safety and security of all opposition leaders, cease these targeted arrests, release detainees, restore telecommunications, and afford due process under the law to all citizens." It had previously raised concerns about the credibility of the election.

Once a beacon of democracy, experts fear President Magufuli could be positioning himself as a strongman looking to stay longer in office. During his first term, he banned opposition gatherings and targeted dissenters.