Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu was arrested and detained by police Wednesday night ahead of the country’s general elections in October, his party said Thursday.
Lissu, chairperson of the main opposition party CHADEMA, was taken into custody after addressing a public rally in Mbinga, over 1,000 kilometers from the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
Regional police said Lissu was arrested on charges of incitement, but no formal charges have been filed yet. CHADEMA’s deputy chairman, John Heche, suggested Lissu might face treason charges over remarks made during meetings calling for electoral reforms.
The opposition has been demanding reforms to ensure a free and fair election, criticizing the lack of an independent electoral commission and laws favoring the ruling CCM party.
Human rights activists have accused the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of heavy-handed tactics against the opposition, which the government denies.
Lissu survived an assassination attempt in 2017, being shot 16 times. Tanzania is set to elect its president and members of parliament in October. CHADEMA is pushing for electoral reforms to ensure a fair process.