Tanzania charges 61 with terrorism over planned protests

Tanzania has charged 61 people with terrorism following their arrest in early July for participating in or calling for planned protests, according to the opposition party Chadema. The party reported that approximately 70 more individuals arrested during the same period are still in police custody and awaiting charges.

“

Sixty-one people have been charged with terrorism until today and most of them are our members.

Chadema's lawyer, Rugemeleza Nshala, stated that most of the charged individuals are party members. He emphasized that Chadema does not support terrorism and that participating in or attempting to take part in demonstrations does not constitute terrorism. Nshala voiced concerns that criminalizing legitimate political activities could be dangerous for the country.

“

Chadema is not supporting terrorism at all… Participating or attempting to take part in demonstrations is not terrorism.

Nshala also noted that some individuals are accused of planning to set fire to public and private properties, while others face accusations of planning to kill police officers. This comes as Chadema's leader, Tundu Lissu, remains imprisoned on treason charges since April 2025. The police have stated they have charged 36 people with planning or inciting "disturbances and violence," including sabotage of the power grid and murder of officers.

“

It’s very dangerous if Tanzania wants to criminalise some legitimate political activities.

The opposition had called for demonstrations on July 7, a public holiday commemorating the founding of the Tanganyika African National Union. This follows violent protests and repression during the general election on October 29, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 percent of the vote. Hassan, who took office after the death of John Magufuli, was initially seen as a reformer, but her gestures of openness were short-lived. An official commission estimated 518 deaths following the October 29 election, while the opposition and human rights activists report around 2,000 deaths attributed to security forces.

“

Some people are accused of planning to burn public and private properties and others accused of planning to kill police.