Police authorities in Tanzania have arrested two opposition members, Boniface Anyasile Mwabukusi and Mpaluka Nyagali, for incitement and an alleged plan to organize nationwide demonstrations aimed at bringing down the government.
The lawyer representing the two, Philip Mwakilima told journalists that he was making efforts to access them in custody and that the accusations against them were “false, fabricated”.
In a statement on Friday, Tanzania’s police commissioner, Camillus Wambura announced that he was taking action against a group that intended to stage protests around the nation to overthrow President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration before 2025.
He claimed that since August 10, there had been published messages on social media platforms “to stir up and encourage nationwide demonstrations among Tanzanians. One of them even declared that they would topple the president’s administration prior to 2025. This acts as treason.”
Tanzania has had a disturbing record of human rights issues, including reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings spanning extrajudicial killings, torture, or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government or on behalf of the government.
But President Hassan’s administration has received plaudits for undoing the persecution of the opposition and civil rights organizations under her predecessor, President Magufuli. Nonetheless, Human Right Watch says at least 22 people have been imprisoned for objecting to a parliament decision since June.
The recent arrests have prompted concerns about Hassan’s government’s record on human rights.