Tanzanian authorities have detained a senior official from the main opposition party, Chadema, amid a series of arrests connected to deadly protests during last week’s elections.
According to Chadema and human rights organizations, more than 1,000 people were killed by security forces during the demonstrations. The Tanzanian government stated these figures were exaggerated but did not provide its own statistics.
Chadema reported that its deputy secretary-general, Amani Golugwa, was arrested by police on Saturday. Authorities are also seeking the arrest of nine more individuals, including other party members.
Tanzanian authorities have charged over 200 people with treason following last week’s protests—a charge that could result in the death penalty, although no executions have been carried out in the country since 1995.
The incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was declared the winner of the election with 98% of the vote, but the opposition—who were barred from participating—denounced the results as fraudulent.
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The government claimed the elections were free and fair, but the main opponents were not allowed to run, and election observers noted that the vote was not democratic, citing instances of ballot stuffing.
“The police force, in partnership with other defense and security agencies, is conducting an intensive search to locate all who planned, coordinated, and executed this evil act,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
Chadema’s secretary general, John Mnyika, and the head of communications, Brenda Rupia, were among those wanted for arrest.
The leader of Chadema, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason in April and was not permitted to run in the elections. The exclusion of Lissu and other political figures from the ballot sparked the ensuing protests.
According to Amnesty International, in the lead-up to the elections, Tanzanian authorities carried out enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings.
Protests occurred on 29 October in cities across Tanzania, leading to violence and clashes with police, according to a statement from authorities.
Amnesty International reported that authorities cut off internet access and used excessive force in an effort to suppress post-election protests.
Rights groups claimed the government had cracked down on individuals perceived to be linked with the protests, including the prominent businesswoman Jenifer Jovin, who was accused of encouraging protesters to purchase gas masks.
President Samia acknowledged that there were deaths but attributed the unrest to foreigners, stating: “It was not a surprise that those arrested were from other countries.”
Despite the protests, Samia was sworn into office on Monday. Her inauguration ceremony was televised but closed to the public and held at a military parade ground in the capital.
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Samia became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 after the then-president, John Magufuli, died in office while she was his vice-president. She was initially lauded by activists for easing political repression, but has since been accused of reversing course.
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