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Democracy Dims in Tanzania as Opposition Leader Remains Behind Bars

Charles Kombe

   DAR ES SALAAM - When'¯Tanzanian President Samia'¯Suluhu'¯Hassan'¯took
   office in March, she'¯ vowed a U-turn in politics from her predecessor,
   the late John'¯Magufuli. But the arrest of'¯opposition leader
   Freeman'¯Mbowe'¯in July'¯has dimmed hopes that Hassan will'¯her'¯turn
   back'¯on'¯Magufuli's'¯iron-fisted style of rule.'¯'¯'¯'¯

   On this day,'¯Neema'¯Mwakipesile'¯got a chance to read her favorite
   book,'¯after spending'¯15 days in police custody.'¯'¯

   She was'¯accused of organizing a protest'¯to demand'¯the release of'¯
   opposition'¯ party leader
   Freeman'¯Mbowe.'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯
   '¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯

   Mwakipesile says the police feared her as though she were a terrorist
   or had done something wrong. They also would not allow her to meet with
   lawyers or members of her family.'¯'¯

   Freeman Mbowe, the leader of the Chadema Party, was arrested last month
   in the port city of Mwanza, where he was to address a meeting to
   discuss constitutional reforms.

   In a court appearance,'¯prosecutors accused'¯Mbowe'¯of taking part in
   conspiracies to blow up fueling stations and fund terrorist acts.'¯'¯'¯

   The'¯Chadema'¯Party denies the charges and claims the arrest aims to
   weaken the opposition party and its call for a new
   constitution.'¯'¯'¯'¯

   Gerva'¯Lyenda,'¯a Chadema'¯Party'¯spokesperson, says that party
   members'¯firmly believe'¯that the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi
   Party'¯continues to remain in power because of the weakness of the
   current constitution. "The Chadema Party's first demand is a new
   constitution," Lyenda said.'¯'¯

   In'¯an interview with the BBC last week, President Samia Hassan'¯denied
   her government was targeting the opposition, and instead accused it
   '¯of'¯ wrongdoing.'¯'¯

   Hassan said that every party is free to have its own constitution,
   timetable and delegates. What is not good, she added, is to demand the
   freedom to do political'¯violence.'¯'¯'¯

   Both'¯Mbowe'¯and'¯Chadema'¯have denied all government accusations of
   backing terrorism or fomenting violence.'¯'¯

   Victor Kweka, an analyst, says'¯it appears there'¯is no'¯level playing
   field'¯for politics in'¯Tanzania.'¯'¯

   Kweka said that such events paint a picture of unbalanced politics that
   rely on the ruling party and not a democracy that allows opposition
   parties to perform their activities, participate in political meetings
   and hold rallies as other countries are doing.

   Meanwhile, Neema'¯Mwakipesile'¯says she is still experiencing'¯trauma
   from her 15'¯days behind bars.'¯'¯

   She says'¯despite the challenges,'¯pro-democracy activists will
   continue their push for their goal.'¯'¯'¯

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