Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has disclosed that 51 of its officials face terrorism charges following recent arrests linked to the aborted Saba Saba demonstrations earlier this month.
Chadema Deputy Chairperson John Heche revealed this after visiting detained members at Butimba Prison. He stated the charges were filed on Friday after the officials were held for several days. The accused hail from three regions: 23 from the Victoria Zone, 17 from the Serengeti Zone, and 11 from the Nyasa Zone.
Earlier in July, Tanzanian police arrested around 130 individuals suspected of organizing illegal activities related to the planned protests. Authorities accused them of coordinating unlawful acts but did not publicly identify those detained.
Background to the Saba Saba Protests
The protests scheduled for July 7 aimed to demand democratic reforms and justice for victims of violence following the 2025 elections. However, the government banned political rallies in late June and deployed heavy security, preventing the demonstrations from taking place.
Chadema's Response and Allegations
- Chadema pledged to provide legal representation for all charged officials.
- Heche urged supporters to visit and support the families of detainees.
- The party accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of using state institutions to suppress dissent, citing a broader campaign involving extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions.
Heche called on Tanzanians to unite against intimidation and blackmail, highlighting growing concerns over the country's human rights situation. A government inquiry earlier this year reported over 500 deaths linked to post-election violence, though opposition groups claim the toll is much higher.
Human rights organizations have criticized the Tanzanian government for shrinking civic space and restricting opposition activities amid these developments.
