Tanzanian authorities have arrested senior opposition figure Amani Golugwa as he was preparing to travel to Belgium for a political conference, sparking concerns of a growing crackdown ahead of the country’s October elections.
Golugwa, a prominent member of Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, was detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Monday. His party confirmed the arrest on X (formerly Twitter). Police stated that Golugwa had a history of traveling in and out of the country “without following legal procedures.” They have since launched an investigation into the matter.
The arrest follows the detention of Tundu Lissu, CHADEMA’s leader and a prominent political figure, who was charged with treason last month. Lissu had recently led rallies calling for electoral reforms, criticizing the current process as biased toward the ruling party.
Golugwa was set to represent CHADEMA at a forum hosted by the International Democracy Union in Brussels, an organization that includes political parties like the UK’s Conservatives and the US Republicans. The IDU condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on democratic values.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking re-election, has emphasized the government’s commitment to human rights. However, recent arrests of opposition figures have raised alarm over the government’s approach to dissent as the election approaches.
