Young fans queued around the block to get into a preview screening of
world21 hours ago
Police arrested senior leaders of Tanzania's main opposition party CHADEMA and hundreds of its supporters ahead of a meeting in the southwest of the country, the party said on Monday.
CHADEMA Chairman Freeman Mbowe and the leader of its youth wing John Pambalu were arrested at a regional airport on Monday, the party said on social media platform X.
A day earlier, the party's vice-chairman Tundu Lissu and secretary general John Mnyika were arrested, party spokesperson John Mrema told Reuters.
Since coming to power in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor, Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lifted a ban on political rallies and relaxed restrictions on media.
However, she has faced criticism from opposition parties and rights groups for arrests last year of those planning protests against a port management deal.
The latest arrests came hours after police banned a conference planned by CHADEMA's youth wing BAVICHA, saying the event was likely to breach the peace.
Police said the party's youth leaders planned to influence young people across the country to meet and demonstrate in Mbeya, a city in southwest Tanzania, which a party spokesperson denied.
Mrema said the conference was to celebrate International Youth Day, where top party officials, including Mbowe, were set to address the youth.
"There are more than 400 people who have been arrested by the police," the spokesperson added.
Police spokesperson David Misime did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
"We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all our leaders, members and loved ones who were arrested in various parts of the country," Mbowe had said late on Sunday on X.
Young fans queued around the block to get into a preview screening of
world21 hours ago
Gaza rescuers say at least 18 killed in Israeli strikes
world21 hours ago
The arrest on Sunday of a gunman on Trump's Florida golf course came the same day as more bomb threats poured into Springfield, Ohio
world22 hours ago
They are mostly all derived from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas
world1 day ago
Negotiators hope to reach the world's first treaty on plastic pollution this year, but across five very different countries, AFP found single-use plastic remains hugely popular
world1 day ago
Jaffna residents say they are still grappling with long-unresolved issues of accountability for war crimes, disappearances, and demands for the return of private land occupied by the army
world1 day ago
151 people who came into contact with the victim are under observation to prevent the spread of the deadly virus
world1 day ago
Her cheeky expressions and playful frolicking racked up millions of views and have lured thousands of visitors wanting to witness her antics
world1 day ago