By Hannatu Sadiq
The leader of the main opposition party in Tanzania has been charged with terrorism-related offenses, following his arrest that drew international concern and criticism of the country’s new president.
Freeman Mbowe, Chairman of Chadema, was detained last week along with 15 other members of the party in a late-night crackdown which government critics says is the hallmark of the oppressive rule of the country’s leadership.
State prosecutor Ester Martin said Mbowe had been charged with two counts of “economic sabotage”, crimes that do not allow for bail in Tanzania.
“These are terrorism financing and terrorism conspiracy,” she told reporters late Monday.
The charges come four months after Tanzania’s first female President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office following the death of John Magufuli.
The party chairman was arrested alongside the other Chadema party officials in the Lake Victoria port city of Mwanza last Wednesday ahead of a planned public meeting to demand constitutional reform.
The party said Mbowe had been charged in Kisutu court with terrorism crimes without his family or lawyers present.
Mbowe was transferred to a prison in Dar es Salaam where police said he was being held “for plotting terrorism acts including to kill government leaders”.
State prosecutors, however, said the terrorism charges against Mbowe did not relate to his planned activities in Mwanza but alleged offenses that occurred last year in a different part of Tanzania.
“Mbowe knew that he was being investigated for terrorism, and he left to Mwanza after knowing that he would be arrested,” police spokesman David Misime said late Monday.
Chadema said Mbowe’s family and lawyers were told he was being transferred to hospital for health checks but was instead “taken to the court quietly” and charged without any of his legal representatives present.
This roundup of key Chadema figures has been condemned by rights groups and opposition activists as evidence the administration’s intolerance of dissent still prevailed.
The United States expressed concern over Mbowe’s arrest and urged President Suluhu Hassan to ensure freedoms for all Tanzanians.
