Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, says its deputy secretary-general Amani Golugwa has been arrested, as authorities file treason charges against more than 200 party members and supporters, escalating political tensions across the country.

The arrests mark the government’s most sweeping crackdown on opposition activity since President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office in 2021, raising renewed fears of shrinking political space ahead of the 2025 general elections.

“They came for him early in the morning,” Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe said at a press briefing in Dar es Salaam. “This is an attempt to silence democratic voices under the guise of national security.”

The Arrest and Allegations

According to party officials, Golugwa was detained at his home in the eastern town of Tanga before being transported to Dodoma, where he remains in custody. Police spokesperson David Misime confirmed the arrest, saying Golugwa and others are being investigated for “actions intended to undermine state authority.”

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced that 217 individuals associated with Chadema are facing treason-related charges, including allegations of inciting unrest and “plotting to destabilize the government.”

However, the prosecution has yet to provide public evidence supporting those claims.

“The use of treason charges against political opponents is a serious red flag,” said Zitto Kabwe, leader of ACT-Wazalendo, another opposition party. “It sends a chilling message that political disagreement is being criminalized.”

Mounting Pressure on Samia’s Government

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who succeeded the late John Magufuli, initially positioned herself as a reformer promising reconciliation with opposition groups. Her administration restored media licenses, reopened banned rallies, and held dialogue sessions with opposition leaders.

But human rights groups say the recent crackdown represents a sharp reversal

Amnesty International called the mass arrests “an alarming return to authoritarian tactics,” urging the government to drop what it called politically motivated charges.

“This level of repression undermines Tanzania’s democratic credibility,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “The government cannot claim reform while charging peaceful opponents with treason.”

A History of Tension

Chadema, the country’s largest opposition party, has long been targeted under Tanzania’s restrictive political laws. During Magufuli’s tenure, opposition figures were routinely detained, rallies banned, and media outlets shuttered.

While Samia’s early tenure offered cautious optimism, analysts say the government remains wary of Chadema’s mobilization capacity — particularly in urban areas where discontent over inflation, unemployment, and corruption has grown.

Political analyst Aidan Eyakuze said the government’s current stance “reflects insecurity rather than strength.”

“Treason is a charge of last resort,” he told Axis Signal. “Invoking it against hundreds of people signals that the state fears losing control of the narrative ahead of elections.”

International Response

The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam and the European Union have both expressed concern over the arrests, calling for due process and urging Tanzanian authorities to “respect citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.”

Diplomatic observers say the situation could complicate Tanzania’s relations with Western partners, many of whom had praised President Samia’s early governance reforms.

Regional bodies like the East African Community (EAC) have yet to issue formal statements, though sources indicate quiet diplomatic outreach is underway.

The Takeaway

Tanzania’s renewed use of treason charges marks a troubling moment for a country once seen as a model of political stability in East Africa.

As Chadema mobilizes its legal team and supporters call for international pressure, the question now is whether President Samia can maintain her reformist reputation while tightening control at home.

“This isn’t just about Amani Golugwa,” Mbowe said. “It’s about whether Tanzania still believes in democracy.”