Freeman Mbowe, a prominent Tanzanian opposition leader from the Chadema party, was arrested on Friday after police ambushed his convoy at a roadblock, the party reported. The arrest follows Chadema’s allegations of unfair disqualification of its candidates for the November 27 local elections, seen as a key political test ahead of next year’s presidential vote.
According to Chadema, police forcibly detained Mbowe and other leaders in Halungu Forest and dispersed a rally in the southern town of Mlowo with tear gas. Police confirmed the arrests, accusing Chadema of violating campaign schedules and stated that officers were injured while dispersing the crowd.
Chadema had planned to contest 65% of the 80,430 available posts but claims only 33% of its candidates remain eligible due to alleged manipulations.
The elections are viewed as a measure of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership since her 2021 inauguration. While initially praised for easing political restrictions, critics have raised concerns about renewed repression, citing arrests, abductions, and murders of opposition figures.
Chadema, which boycotted the 2019 local polls, has vowed to participate this year despite the challenges. “We will proceed steadily until the end,” Mbowe declared earlier this week.