INTERNAL debate within the leading opposition party on whether to take up the 4Rs philosophy of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has taken a new turn as a militant tone of a party youth-planned rally to mark International Youth Day led to a frontal clash with the police force.

Reports from Mbeya said yesterday that the police command in the region has intensified security across various parts of the city, sensing agitation among opposition activists in the wake of planned demonstrations and rallies by the Chadema youth wing.

In the wake of the issuing of a militant motto by its Bavicha youth wing, police headquarters proscribed what were expected to be “peaceful protests throughout Mbeya City, ending up with a public rally at the Ruanda Nzove grounds.”

Chadema leaders who were expected to address the rally were arrested, starting with Mainland vice-chairman Tundu Lissu, and hours later, national chairman Freeman Mbowe was arrested upon arrival at the airport.

Reports on social media platforms indicated that other Chadema leaders including secretary general John Mnyika and Bavicha mobilisation coordinator John Pambalu were detained at the Songwe International Airport upon arrival.

CP Awadh Haji, the operations and training commissioner at headquarters, issued a statement at the weekend that due to seditious statements made by some party leaders, the police had placed a ban on the party’s public activities.

The statement said that the party is prohibited to hold both internal and external meetings on account of intelligence suggesting that the publicly aired statements of Chadema leaders were geared at causing public disturbances.

The regional police commanders in Mbeya was directed to ensure that the police stop all Chadema youth gatherings or converging towards erstwhile meeting places, while asking the Registrar of Political Parties to direct the opposition party from any such conference, citing violations of the law governing political party activities.

Before his being arrested as well, the party secretary general had insisted that the meeting at the grounds would proceed, arguing that the bans were unconstitutional.

The report said that during all of Sunday, police officers were reinforcing security around the city, particularly at the Ruanda Nzove grounds it was heavily guarded with firearms and tear gas vehicles readied. Journalists were prevented from taking photos.

Three police vehicles, including one equipped with water cannons, were stationed at the venue, while another police vehicle from the Officer Commanding District (OCD) Njombe was seen nearby.

A police vehicle marked “OCD Mbozi” was stationed near the Tanzania-Zambia highway at a nearby bus stand.

At the party’s offices in Kadege suburb, police officers were stationed at every corner, but journalists could not figure out if anyone was inside. Other police vehicles patrolled streets and bus stations, in the city and Mbalizi town nearby.

When contacted for clarification, the regional police commander, SACP Benjamin Kuzaga did not respond and was still being awaited to explain the legal situation on the top Chadema leadership late yesterday.

Observers noted that these arrests come a year after President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted a ban on opposition gatherings and pledged to restore competitive politics. 

The measures were tied to a 4Rs philosophy seeking political reconciliation, economic reforms, social resilience and rebuilding of institutions, most of which was rejected by opposition hardliners around vice chairman Lissu.

A peep into ongoing disputes was visible as former Southern highlands zonal chairman Peter Msigwa alleging electoral interference by top leadership preventing his being re-elected to that position, crossed over to the ruling party.

In the past week, the vice chairman issued an alert that he would leave the party if it departed from the principles that brought him to join the party in the first place, a position that analysts comprehended to imply renouncing the hardliner views he espouses.

This position is what was being pursued when the police banned the Chadema rally, saying it was intended to incite violence, citing the party’s call for people to unite like the “youth in Kenya,” referring to the violent anti-government demonstrations for more than a month.

On Monday morning, a Chadema official reported uncertainty about the whereabouts of some detained leaders as the police had not officially commented on the arrests, with party John Mrema, the head of the organisation at its secretariat, saying that groups of youth traveling in hired buses were detained and escorted back to their regions.

Upwards of 10,000 young people were expected to gather in Mbeya to celebrate the Youth Day under the slogan “Take Charge of Your Future,” while subsequently party officials shared images of around 100 party members detained in Iringa and were later released and escorted back to their respective residential places.

The party organiser decried arrests of top leaders and party members as well as checking activities of its supporters across the country, demanding “immediate and unconditional release.”