Tanzania Detains Opposition Official Ahead October Elections

Tanzanian authorities have arrested Amani Golugwa, a senior official of the main opposition party CHADEMA, at Julius Nyerere International Airport as he was preparing to attend a political conference in Belgium. His detention is part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures ahead of the October elections, raising concerns about the government's commitment to human rights under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking reelection. The police accused Golugwa of traveling without following proper legal procedures, while his party and the International Democracy Union condemned the arrest, calling it unlawful and a violation of democratic principles. This arrest follows the detention of CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges related to his calls for election reforms and public protests. CHADEMA has also faced disqualification from the upcoming elections after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct they considered biased. Golugwa had recently criticized police for failing to explain the abduction of a party supporter, highlighting fears of political repression and disappearances.