Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema claims police have arrested 2 more officials
Crackdown on opposition leaders in Tanzania has continued to gain momentum following the deadly protests that broke out during and after elections, where incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was deemed the winner, with 98 per cent of the vote.
In a statement on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) informed the public that two more of its party officials had been arrested.
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The opposition outfit, which was largely suppressed during the just-concluded polls, said that Godbless Lema (Member of the Central Committee) was apprehended in Arusha.
Boniface Jacob (Chairperson of the Coastal Zone), was later nabbed by security forces in Dar es Salaam.
“Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) wants to inform the public that the Police Force has continued to arrest our leaders,” the statement read in part.
“This afternoon, the police arrested Hon. Godbless Lema (Member of the Central Committee) in Arusha, and later in Dar es Salaam, they arrested Hon. Boniface Jacob (Chairperson of the Coastal Zone),” CHADEMA confirmed.
Secretary General also arrested
Earlier, Chadema had issued a statement confirming the arrest of its Deputy Secretary General, Amani Golugwa.
Chadema described Golugwa’s detention as part of an ongoing campaign targeting the party’s leadership.
“The Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) wishes to inform the public that the Arusha Regional Police have arrested our Deputy Secretary General, Hon. Amani Golugwa, today, Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the morning hours,” the party wrote.
So far, five senior party officials have been arrested following the previous detentions of party chairman Tundu Lissu and Vice Chairman John Heche.
AU verdict on Tanzania’s poll
The crackdown on opposition continued days after the African Union stated that its observers had concluded that the election “did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.”
AU observers reported ballot stuffing at several polling stations and instances in which voters were issued multiple ballots.
Also watch: AU election observers say Tanzania polls marred by glaring irregularities
The environment surrounding the election was “not conducive to peaceful conduct and acceptance of electoral outcomes,” the statement read in part.
On the other hand, civil and rights groups have called for urgent action to be taken over reports of deaths in the just-concluded Tanzania polls.
