Dar es Salaam: Tanzania has charged more than 200 individuals with treason, as reported by a lawyer and judicial sources. The opposition announced on Saturday that another of their leaders had been detained.
According to Nam News Network, President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured victory in the October 29 election with 98 percent of the vote, as stated by the electoral commission. However, the opposition, which was barred from participating, has condemned the election as fraudulent. Violent protests erupted across the country on election day, with reports suggesting that hundreds or potentially thousands may have lost their lives. Additionally, a prolonged internet shutdown hindered the dissemination of verified information.
On Friday, over 250 people were brought before the court in Dar es Salaam, the economic hub of Tanzania. These individuals faced charges in three separate cases, with accusations of conspiracy to commit treason and treason itself, as outlined by lawyer Peter Kibatala. Judicial sources confirmed that at least 240 people have been charged.
The opposition party Chadema claims that at least 800 people were killed in the election-related violence. Diplomatic and security sources corroborated this estimate, indicating that credible reports suggest the death toll could reach into the thousands. However, authorities have yet to release any official figures regarding casualties.
On Saturday, Chadema reported the arrest of Deputy Secretary General Amani Golugwa by police in Arusha. This arrest leaves only three of the party's six top leaders free, as stated in a message on X. The party's leader Tundu Lissu has been detained since April on treason charges, while vice-chairman John Heche was detained in October and later charged with terrorism.
Chadema has expressed concerns that the government aims to charge their leaders with treason to undermine the party's leadership and disrupt its operations. This development follows a police warning issued late Friday, indicating an ongoing search for opposition leaders, including secretary general John Mnyika, his deputy Amani Golugwa, and spokesperson Brenda Rupia, in connection with the violence.