Tanzanian authorities have detained a senior official from the main opposition party, Chadema, amid a wave of arrests linked to deadly post-election protests last week.
Chadema and human rights groups say more than 1,000 people were killed by security forces during the demonstrations; the government called those figures exaggerated and has not published its own toll. The party said deputy secretary general Amani Golugwa was arrested by police on Saturday, and that authorities are seeking nine more suspects, including other party figures.
More than 200 people have been charged with treason over the protests — a charge that can carry the death penalty, although Tanzania has not carried out executions since 1995. The incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was declared the election winner with 98% of the vote; the opposition, which was barred from participating, condemned the result as fraudulent.
Observers and critics said the vote was neither free nor fair, citing the exclusion of main rivals and reports of ballot stuffing. A police spokesperson said security forces, working with other defence agencies, are conducting a “serious manhunt” for those who planned and executed the unrest. Chadema’s secretary general John Mnyika and head of communications Brenda Rupia were named among those wanted.
Chadema leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason in April and barred from running, a decision that helped spark the protests. Amnesty International reported enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings in the run-up to the vote, and said authorities cut internet access and used excessive force to suppress demonstrations held on 29 October in cities across the country.
Rights groups say the crackdown has targeted people perceived to be linked to the protests, including businesswoman Jenifer Jovin, accused of encouraging protesters to buy gas masks. President Samia acknowledged deaths but blamed foreigners for unrest, saying many arrested were from other countries.
Despite the turmoil, Samia was sworn in on Monday at a televised but closed inauguration held on a military parade ground in the capital. She became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli, and was initially credited with easing repression; critics now accuse her of reversing that course.
