Inside Story

Are democratic reforms at risk in Tanzania?

Tanzania’s main opposition party is demanding answers after police arrested its leader.

Freeman Mbowe and at least 10 other Chadema party members were detained during a night raid on Wednesday.

Police accuse Mbowe of conspiracy to commit “terrorist” acts and kill government officials. But human rights groups denounced the arrest as a crackdown on democracy.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan had promised to defend basic freedoms when she took power four months ago, after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.

What will the detentions mean for democratic reforms?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Oryem Nyeko – Tanzania researcher at Human Rights Watch

Aikande Kwayu – Tanzanian political analyst and an honorary research fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tundu Lissu – vice chairman of Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party