Senior Opposition Figure Amani Golugwa Detained
Tanzania is facing a growing political crisis following last month’s disputed general election. Authorities have arrested Amani Golugwa, the deputy secretary-general of the opposition party Chadema, marking the third high-profile detention of party leaders after Tundu Lissu and John Heche were detained prior to the October 29 vote.
Police confirmed Golugwa’s arrest, along with nine other individuals, as part of an ongoing investigation into widespread unrest and protests that erupted following the election.
“The police force, in collaboration with other defence and security agencies, is continuing a serious manhunt,” authorities said. Chadema officials John Mnyika (Secretary-General) and Brenda Rupia (head of communications) remain on the wanted list.
Mass Treason Charges
On Friday, more than 200 people were formally charged with treason in connection with post-election protests. Lawyer Peter Kibatala told AFP that over 250 individuals were arraigned across three separate cases, facing two sets of charges:
- Conspiracy to commit treason
- Treason itself
The arrests reflect an unprecedented crackdown on opposition and protest activity in Tanzania, targeting both senior leaders and grassroots organizers.
Disputed Election and Allegations of Sham Voting
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, reportedly won the election with 98 percent of the vote, according to the electoral commission. However, Chadema and international observers have criticized the election as fraudulent, alleging ballot-stuffing, multiple ballots issued to single voters, and suppression of opposition activity.
The African Union stated that the election “did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.”
Widespread Protests and High Death Toll
Post-election protests erupted on October 29 across Tanzania’s major cities, including Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Mbeya, and several rural regions. Security forces responded with violent crackdowns, the scale of which remains contested.
- Chadema claims over 1,000 people were killed, alleging authorities concealed bodies.
- The Catholic Church in Tanzania reports hundreds of fatalities.
- The Kenya Human Rights Commission estimates 3,000 deaths, with thousands more missing, providing pictorial evidence showing victims with gunshot wounds to the head and chest, suggesting targeted killings rather than crowd control.
Authorities have not released an official death toll, fueling concerns about political repression and human rights violations.
Crackdown on Opposition
Chadema has condemned the arrests as part of a deliberate strategy to paralyse the party’s operations. Police and security forces are reportedly pressuring lower-level members to confess to organizing demonstrations, while senior leaders face detention or remain on wanted lists.
Since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1992, Tanzania has experienced periodic single-party dominance, but President Hassan’s critics argue she now governs with an iron fist, suppressing dissent and opposition.
International Response and Human Rights Concerns
The ongoing post-election crackdown has drawn regional and international scrutiny. Human rights groups warn of a serious deterioration of democratic governance in Tanzania, citing:
- Arbitrary detentions of opposition leaders
- Mass arrests and treason charges
- Alleged extrajudicial killings
Observers emphasize the urgent need for transparent investigations, accountability for violations, and protection of political freedoms in the country.
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