Tanzania: End Mass Arrests and Arbitrary Detentions of Political Opposition

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

The Tanzanian authorities must urgently halt the mass arrests and arbitrary detention of government critics, Amnesty International said today, as intimidation of members of the political opposition intensifies in the run-up to local government elections in December and the general election in 2025.

On 11 August, Tanzanian police arrested and detained leading figures from Tanzania’s Party for Democracy and Progress, the main political opposition party known as Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), including former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu and more than a hundred youth supporters, as well as five journalists for violating a ban on holding a youth conference. They were arrested during a meeting at Chadema’s Nyasa zonal office in Mbeya, southwest Tanzania, ahead of International Youth Day on 12 August.

The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), the bar association of mainland Tanzania, said police also arrested 107 Chadema party members the same day in Iringa region in Nyasa zone, in the country’s southern highlands.

“The mass arrests and arbitrary detention of figures from the Chadema party, as well as their supporters and journalists, is a deeply worrying sign in the run-up to local government elections in December 2024 and the 2025 general election. The Tanzanian authorities must urgently respect people’s rights to freedom of expression and association,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

Two eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that those arrested include Chadema vice chair, Tundu Lissu, secretary general, John Mnyika, Nyasa regional leader, Joseph Mbilinyi, and leaders of the party’s youth wing, Baraza la Vijana Cha Chadema (Bavicha). According to a party official, the leading figures were taken by police to unknown locations, while other party members and journalists were transported to various police stations in Mbeya.

The mass arrests and arbitrary detention of figures from the Chadema party, as well as their supporters and journalists, is a deeply worrying sign in the run-up to local government elections in December 2024 and the 2025 general election. Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director, East and Southern Africa

The police later, on 12 August, arrested Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe and the Bavicha national leader John Pambalu at Songwe airport after they arrived from Dar es Salaam to follow up about other party leaders and members who had been arrested.

Chadema lawyers told Amnesty International that they had not been allowed by the Mbeya Regional Police Commander to know the whereabouts of the arrested individuals or information regarding the charges against them. The lawyers were however able to independently confirm that Joseph Mbilinyi was detained in Iringa Central Police Station.

The authorities have been restricting activities of the political opposition while allowing politicians from the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party to meet unhindered.

“The Tanzanian authorities must urgently release all of those detained or charge them with a recognizable criminal offence, in line with international standards. If there are legitimate charges against any of the detainees, authorities must respect their rights to a fair trial, in line with international human rights law and standards, such as informing detainees of the reasons for their arrest, presenting them promptly before a judge, and granting access to legal counsel,” said Sarah Jackson.

The Tanzanian authorities must urgently release all of those detained or charge them with a recognizable criminal offence, in line with international standards.Sarah Jackson

“Ahead of the upcoming elections, Amnesty International calls on the Tanzanian authorities to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all people, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. They must end arbitrary arrests and detention of political opposition members and reverse the escalating crackdown on civic space,” said Sarah Jackson.

Background

Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as Tanzania’s first female president following the death of President John Pombe Magufuli on 17 March 2021.

While President Magufuli was in power, opposition politicians faced arbitrary arrest and detention — a trend that has continued under President Hassan.

On 21 July 2021, the police arrested opposition leader Freeman Mbowe and 11 other Chadema party officials and staff members at a hotel in Mwanza, northwestern Tanzania. They were arrested hours before a planned conference, in which party members would discuss demanding a new Cconstitution for the country. Although seven of them were released days after their arrest, Mbowe was only released more than seven months later, after the Director of Public Prosecution dropped terrorism charges against him and three others.

On 14 July 2023, lawyer and activist Boniface Mwabukusi and political activist Mdude Nyagali were arrested days after holding a press conference in Dar es Salaam, where they criticized a port deal between Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On 12 August 2023, they were re-arrested while travelling to Dar es Salaam and taken to the Central Police Station in the city of Mbeya. The next day, police arrested Willibrod Slaa, a former parliamentarian and diplomat, at his home in Dar es Salaam and took him to Mbweni Police Station. They faced treason charges but were released on 18 August 2023 under strict reporting conditions.

On 10 September 2023, police arrested Tundu Lissu for holding an “unlawful assembly” after he attended a political rally in Loliondo division, northern Tanzania.

On 11 August 2024, Tanzanian police raided a meeting at Chadema’s zonal office in Mbeya shortly after 6pm, during which party members were reportedly making plans for a youth rally the following day to mark International Youth Day.

Source: allafrica.com

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Jeshi la Polisi lakanusha taarifa ya Polisi

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In: Swahili News

Dar es Salaam. Sakata la kuzuiwa mikutano ya hadhara na ile ya ndani ya vyama vya siasa limechukua sura mpya, baada ya Jeshi la Polisi Tanzania kukanusha zuio la Polisi Wilaya ya Mbagala, Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam.

Kanusho hilo la Polisi Makao Makuu linatokana na taarifa ya Polisi Mbagala kwenda kwa chama cha ACT-Wazalendo kuzuia kufanyika kwa mkutano wa hadhara waliopanga kufanyika leo Jumatatu, Agosti 12, 2024 katika Kata ya Charambe, Wilaya ya Temeke, Dar es Salaam.

Barua ya Polisi Wilaya ya Mbagala kwenda kwa ACT-Wazalendo ya leo Jumatatu, pamoja na mambo mengine imesema: “…napenda kukujulisha kuwa mikutano yote ya hadhara na ya ndani imezuiliwa hadi hapo yatakapotolewa maelekezo mengine.”

Baada ya barua hiyo mijadala imeshika kasi mitandaoni, huku wadau wa kisiasa wakikumbusha kile kilichotokea mwaka 2016 kwa mikutano ya hadhara kupigwa marufuku na kuruhusiwa ile ya ndani.

Zuio hilo la mikutano liliwekwa wakati wa utawala wa awamu ya tano, baada ya utawala wa awamu ya sita kuingia madarakani ukiongozwa na Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan uliliondoa na mikutano kurejea.

Mwananchi lilizungumza na Msajili wa Vyama vya Siasa, Jaji Francis Mutungi kutaka kujua undani wa zuio hilo la Polisi Mbagala ambapo amesema kinachojitokeza ni hali ya jeshi hilo kujichanganya, hakuna tamko rasmi lilotolewa la kufuta mikutano ya hadhara na ile ya ndani.

“Kilichotokea naona kama Polisi wamejichanganya, hakuna tamko rasmi lilotolewa la kuzuia mikutano ya hadhara na ya ndani kwa kuwa Jeshi la Polisi lina ngazi aulizwe msemaji wake anaweza kuwa na majibu sahihi,” amesema Jaji Mutungi.

Katikati ya mijadala hiyo, saa 8:20 mchana, Msemaji wa Jeshi la Polisi Tanzania, David Misime akatoa taarifa kwa umma akisema: “Jeshi la Polisi lingependa kutoa taarifa kuwa halijapiga marufuku kufanyika mikutano ya nje ya hadhara na ile ya ndani, ili mradi inafuata matakwa ya sheria za nchi.”

“Kilichopigwa marufuku ni mkusanyiko uliokuwa umeitishwa na viongozi wa Chadema huko jijini Mbeya, kwa kivuli cha kuadhimisha Siku ya Vijana Duniani,”ilieleza taarifa hiyo.Continue Reading

Tanzania: FM Looking Forward to Boosting Ties With Tanzania

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Tanzania: FM Looking Forward to Boosting Ties With Tanzania

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty said on Sunday he is looking forward to boosting relations between Egypt and Tanzania, scaling up the volume of trade exchange and promoting joint investments.

The foreign minister’s remarks came at a meeting with his Tanzanian counterpart Mahmoud Thabit Kombo on the sidelines of his current visit to the Rwandan capital Kigali.

Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the meeting discussed bilateral ties between the two sides.

Abdelatty was keen on conveying the greeting of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the Tanzanian leader, added Abu Zeid.

The spokesman noted that the foreign minister tackled cooperation projects between Egypt and Tanzania, topped by the Egypt-Built Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam in Tanzania.

Abdelatty said Egypt is very interested in removing any obstacles to the completion of the project for the sake of the Tanzanian people, said Abu Zeid.

The foreign minister invited his Tanzanian counterpart to visit Egypt soon.

MENA

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania police arrest senior opposition leaders, ban meeting

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By REUTERS

Police arrested senior leaders of Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema and hundreds of its supporters ahead of a meeting in the southwest of the country, the party said on Monday.

Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and the leader of its youth wing John Pambalu were arrested at a regional airport on Monday, the party said on social media platform X.

A day earlier, the party’s Vice-Chairman Tundu Lissu and Secretary-General John Mnyika were arrested, party spokesperson John Mrema told Reuters.

Since coming to power in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lifted a ban on political rallies and relaxed restrictions on media.

However, she has faced criticism from opposition parties and rights groups for arrests last year of those planning protests against a port management deal.

The latest arrests came hours after police banned a conference planned by Chadema’s youth wing Bavicha, saying the event was likely to breach the peace.

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Police said the party’s youth leaders planned to influence young people across the country to meet and demonstrate in Mbeya, a city in southwest Tanzania, which a party spokesperson denied.

Mrema said the conference was to celebrate International Youth Day, where top party officials, including Mbowe, were set to address the youth.

“There are more than 400 people who have been arrested by the police,” the spokesperson added.

Police spokesperson David Misime did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all our leaders, members and loved ones who were arrested in various parts of the country,” Mbowe had said late on Sunday on X.

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Bypass to boost Kenya-Tanzania cross border trade

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By ANTHONY KITIMO

Cross border trade between Kenya and Tanzania at Lunga-Lunga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) will increase, after connection with the port of Mombasa was opened after completion of Dongo Kundu bypass.

The completion and opening of the $307,106 infrastructure this week within Mombasa port road network, will enable movement of goods to the second busiest border between Kenya and Tanzania after Namanga, without using the Likoni ferry.

The project will later connect with the 460-kilometre East African Coastal Corridor development project between Malindi and Bagamoyo, which is being funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and a grant from the European Union.

According to latest data from the two trading countries at the border, Tanzania exports majorly agricultural products through the border whereas Kenya exports manufacturing goods and raw materials.

The contract was awarded to the Fujita Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation consortium on February 20, 2019, with the signing taking place on April 18, 2019 and was expected to end March 2024 but it was completed earlier according to Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha).

The construction, undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, commenced in 2018 and has now reached a pivotal phase with the partial opening of the roadway.

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With a total length of about 17.5 kilometres, the bypass is set to revolutionise the region’s connectivity with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Mombasa International Airport benefiting a lot.

Kenha Deputy Director Samuel Ogege, the project’s lead manager, confirmed the project’s successful handover to the client.

“An internal committee has been appointed to oversee the handover process, ensuring that the bypass meets all safety and operational standards before full-scale utilisation. Although the bypass is currently in use, an official ceremonial opening will follow, celebrating the completion of this landmark project,” said Mr Ogege.

The contract was awarded to the Fujita Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation consortium on February 20, 2019.

The Coastline Transnational Highway project, conceived more than two decades ago, covers Bagamoyo-Tanga-Horohoro on the Tanzania side and Lunga Lunga-Mombasa-Mtwapa-Malindi on the Kenyan side, and is expected to cost $751 million.

According to a financing agreement, AfDB will finance 70 percent of the highway and the governments of Kenya and Tanzania will cover 30 per cent. On the Kenyan side, already two phases between Mombasa and Kilifi are at 85 percent complete.

Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) Deputy Director Samuel Ogege, the project’s lead manager, confirmed the project’s successful handover to the client.

“An internal committee has been appointed to oversee the handover process, ensuring that the bypass meets all safety and operational standards before full-scale utilisation. Although the bypass is currently in use, an official ceremonial opening will follow, celebrating the completion of this landmark project,” said Mr Ogege.

The road which is toll free, as it was built using Japanese loan with support from government of Kenya becomes a huge relief with Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) expected to incur losses as the tourism sector registering a boom.

The project, a monumental feat of engineering, includes the construction of the Peninsula.

With a total length of approximately 17.5 kilometers the bypass is set to revolutionize the region’s connectivity with SGR and Mombasa International Airport benefiting a lot.

The three bridges which are Mwache bridge spanning 660 metres and the other two bridges are Tsunza Viaduct (690m) and the Mteza Bridge, which is expected to be the longest bridge over water in the country and region straddling 1,440 metres will also play as key tourism sector as it has special scenic views for road users.

KeNHA Deputy Director Engineer Samuel Ogege, the project’s lead manager, confirmed the project’s successful handover to the client, underscoring that the road is ready for public use.

“An internal committee has been appointed to oversee the handover process, ensuring that the bypass meets all safety and operational standards before full-scale utilization. Although the bypass is currently in use, an official ceremonial opening will follow, celebrating the completion of this landmark project,” said Mr Ogege.

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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News, Top News

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.

Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).

Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.

While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.

“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”

Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.

Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.

“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”

ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition

On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.

He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:

At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.

There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.

Source: allafrica.com

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