Tanzania Opposition Leader Freeman Mbowe Has Been Arrested

According to the Chadema party, Tanzanian opposition leader Freeman Mbowe has been arrested.

Tanzania Opposition Leader Freeman Mbowe Has Been Arrested

Mbowe was in his hotel room on Tuesday night in Mwanza, in the north-western region where he was attending party meetings, when he was arrested.

Officials from Tanzania's main opposition party say they have not been able to establish where Mbowe is being held.

Ten other leaders arrested alongside him had been taken to the Central Police Station in Mwanza.

According to local media in the East Africa nation, the officers confirmed the arrests on suspicion of inciting “unauthorized assembly”.

The opposition party has been holding a series of internal meetings in an effort to revive support and had vowed to hold a big political rally to push for the drafting of a new constitution.

Chadema said: "This is a clear sign that the dictatorship under the [late President John Magufuli] still continues."

Magufuli, who died in March, was accused of oppressing the opposition and curtailing press freedom.

His successor and former deputy Samia Suluhu Hassan has been regarded as more conciliatory and inclusive.