Home / AFRICA / US slams Tanzania for opposition members arrest

US slams Tanzania for opposition members arrest

 

The U.S. criticized Tanzania’s arrest of eight opposition leaders during their party meeting on Wednesday, saying the action stifles democratic norms.

ACT-Wazalendo party leader Zitto Kabwe and other members were taken by authorities, citing alleged illegal assembly.“The police detained us for more than 30 hours,” Zitto told reporters, adding it was politically motivated.

Political tensions are rising in Tanzania ahead of the October general elections in which President John Magufuli plans to seek re-election.

These actions follow a disconcerting pattern of intimidation toward opposition members, civil society and media outlets.

The government also closed the Tanzania Daima newspaper following coverage critical of Magufuli’s administration.

“These actions follow a disconcerting pattern of intimidation toward opposition members, civil society and media outlets,” the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania said in a statement on its Twitter account.

Kilwa District Commissioner Christopher Ngubiagai couldn’t immediately comment on the allegations of politically-motivated arrests when contacted on Thursday. Magufuli has denied in the past he is cracking down on dissent.

Agencies

About admin

Check Also

Guinea’s most wanted fugitive, a former high-ranking military officer who escaped from prison last November, has been extradited from Liberia along with his son, according to officials.

Liberia extradites Guinea’s fugitive involved in stadium massacre

Guinea’s most wanted fugitive, a former high-ranking military officer who escaped from prison last November, …

Travelers left stranded at Kenya’s major airport due to staff protest

Hundreds of travelers were left stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as airport …