The head of the opposition of Tanzania, Tundu Lissu, was accused of betrayal one day after his arrest following a rally which he organized in the south of the country.
The accusation is linked to its national campaign which puts pressure on electoral reform under the slogan “no reforms, no elections”.
The country is expected to go to the ballot box in October when Lissu is to challenge President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
When Samia came to power for the first time in 2021, after the death of her predecessor John Maguuli, she was congratulated for reversing some of her most authoritarian trends. But it has since been criticized after certain members of the opposition have been targeted with arrests and kidnappings.
In a series of public appearances, Lissu said that there was no chance of free elections and fair in six months unless there are reforms.
The Chadema party leader wants the composition of the electoral commission to change. He argued that he should not include people named directly by Samia.
The authorities have described the campaign as prompted the public to hold general elections.
Lissu has been arrested several times in the past.
In 2017, during the presidency of Magufi, he survived an assassination attempt during which he was killed 16 times.
He then entered exile and returned briefly in 2020 to appear against Magufi during this year’s elections. He left after the announcement of the results, complaining of irregularities.
He then returned in 2023 after changes that Samia introduced to allow more freedom for the opposition.
Earlier Thursday, police used tear gas to disperse the supporters of Chadema while preventing party leaders from a press conference concerning the arrest of Lissu.
Some party supporters told the BBC that nothing would prevent them from demanding electoral reforms before the elections.
“We are surprised that the police harass us when our gatherings are peaceful,” said a supporter.
“We know that the ruling party, CCM, is behind all this. We will fight for changes before the elections.”
Rights defense groups have condemned the use of force and accused the government of using state institutions to silence criticism.
An association of lawyers said that the arrest of Lissu and the repression against his supporters were an abuse of power and showed a lack of political tolerance.
The Lissu betrayal case was postponed until April 24.
