Tanzanian police have arrested key leaders of the main opposition party, Chadema, along with hundreds of its supporters in a crackdown that has seen critics question the government’s commitment to respecting human rights. The police initially arrested Tundu Lissu, Chadema’s vice-chair and former presidential candidate, and the party’s secretary general, John Mnyika. However, they have since detained the party’s chair, Freeman Mbowe, and its youth wing leader, John Pambalu. The arrests occurred in Mbeya, where Chadema planned to hold a conference to mark International Youth Day. The police had banned the conference, claiming that Chadema was planning violent protests. However, the party had refuted this claim, insisting the event was intended to celebrate International Youth Day and nothing else.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN