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Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — November 8, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
Tanzania’s political tension deepened on Saturday as police announced the arrest of a senior opposition figure and launched a nationwide manhunt for several top officials of the main opposition party, CHADEMA, following a wave of violent protests that erupted after the country’s disputed election.
Police confirmed that Amani Golugwa, CHADEMA’s Deputy Secretary-General, was taken into custody in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. Authorities also released a list of nine other opposition leaders declared wanted for allegedly inciting unrest. Among those named were John Mnyika, the party’s Secretary-General, and Brenda Rupia, CHADEMA’s head of communications.
The crackdown follows days of unrest triggered by the controversial general election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98 percent of the vote. The result immediately drew criticism after key opposition candidates, including prominent figure Tundu Lissu, were barred from contesting.
In a statement, police spokesperson David Misime accused the opposition of organizing illegal demonstrations “aimed at destabilizing national peace.” He said the listed party officials would be arrested and charged under laws covering treason, sedition, and unlawful assembly.
“We will not tolerate attempts to undermine national unity or the democratic order,” Misime said, warning that security forces had been deployed across all regions to prevent further protests.
The opposition, however, rejected the accusations, describing the arrests as a direct assault on democracy. CHADEMA spokespersons said the police action was politically motivated and designed to silence critics of the government.
“This is not law enforcement; this is persecution,” one senior party member said in a statement. “Our leaders are being hunted because they dared to question a fraudulent election.”
Human rights activists and local media report that security forces have been conducting door-to-door searches in several cities, rounding up suspected protesters. According to CHADEMA, more than 1,000 people have been killed in the post-election unrest, while over 145 others face treason charges. Government officials dismissed the casualty figures as “grossly exaggerated,” providing no independent count.
International observers from the African Union and regional civil society groups have voiced serious concern about the credibility of the vote. An AU preliminary report cited evidence of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and the exclusion of opposition monitors from polling stations.
Despite the criticism, the National Electoral Commission defended the election as “free and transparent,” claiming that any irregularities reported did not affect the overall outcome.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who came to power in 2021 after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, has portrayed her re-election as a mandate for continuity and economic progress. In a brief televised address, she called on citizens to “reject violence and embrace peace,” insisting that her government remained committed to national unity.
However, opposition supporters and human rights defenders warn that the ongoing crackdown marks one of the darkest moments for Tanzania’s democracy in recent years.
As of Saturday evening, police operations continued in key urban centers including Dodoma, Mwanza, and Arusha, with heavily armed officers patrolling the streets. Witnesses reported dozens of arrests and sporadic clashes between security forces and demonstrators demanding the release of detained activists.
International diplomatic missions, including those of the European Union and United States, have urged the Tanzanian government to exercise restraint, respect fundamental freedoms, and ensure due process for all detainees.
The situation remains tense, with fears of further unrest as opposition groups vow to continue peaceful resistance until all political prisoners are released and new elections are conducted under international supervision.