Tanzania arrests 130 in widening crackdown on dissent after protest ban

UPDATED: Jul 9, 2026 23:50 IST

Tanzanian police have arrested 130 people accused of "inciting criminal acts" as authorities intensified a crackdown on dissent following a nationwide ban on political rallies imposed ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations.

According to Reuters, police said on Thursday they were continuing to search for additional suspects, days after heavy security deployments prevented protests planned for July 7 from taking place. The demonstrations had been organised to demand democratic reforms, justice for victims of last year's election violence and the release of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.

The government announced the ban on all political rallies on June 26, citing security concerns, and ordered police to stop issuing permits for political gatherings nationwide. Opposition parties and legal groups criticised the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated, saying it was aimed at silencing dissent.

The crackdown follows Tanzania's disputed 2025 general election, which was won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan after the main opposition boycotted the vote and other leading candidates were barred from contesting. A government-appointed commission of inquiry said in April that at least 518 people were killed in the post-election violence, largely triggered by the exclusion of opposition candidates. Authorities have rejected accusations by human rights groups that security forces used excessive force during the unrest.

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