Tanzania’s leading opposition politicians, including Chadema party leader Freeman Mbwoe and his deputy Tundu Lissu, were released on bail on Tuesday, a day after they were arrested on the eve of a Youth Day rally in the southwestern city of Mbeya.
The leaders of Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema have been released on bail, a party spokesman said on Tuesday, a day after they were arrested ahead of a Youth Day rally in the southwestern city of Mbeya.
In a post on X, the party spokesman said Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu – both former presidential candidates – were “brought back to Dar es Salaam by the police and posted bail themselves”.
However, the spokesman said that “there are reports that some Bavicha leaders continue to be detained by Mbeya police,” without giving further details.
Awadh Haji, police operations and training director, said overnight that “all senior Chadema leaders who were arrested have been returned to where they came from after interrogation and other procedures.”
Mbowe and Lissu were among 469 party members, including leaders and youth members, arrested across the country, the party said in a statement, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
Chadema said hundreds of youth supporters were arrested by police on their way to Mbeya.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
Read also:
Flood death toll in Kenya continues to rise as heavy rains and flooding continue
Tanzania prepares for vaccine rollout under new president
Thousands gather at the first opposition rally in Tanzania since the ban was lifted
