Tanzania Opposition Deputy Leader Charged with Terrorism as Post-Election Clampdown Deepens

An official from Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), stands charged with terrorism following his arrest two weeks ago, his lawyer says.

John Heche, the party’s deputy leader, was taken into custody in the capital, Dodoma and is now held in Dar es Salaam, where his lawyer, Hekima Mwasipu, told the BBC. His lawyer said he was formally notified of the charges. The date of his court appearance remains unclear.

The detention comes after the October 29 general election, which declared Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with approximately 98% of the vote. Opposition parties immediately challenged her victory as lacking legitimacy. Meanwhile, the party’s chairman, Tundu Lissu, remains detained on treason allegations, which he rejects.

Observers from the African Union (AU) concluded that the election “did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.” They reported instances of ballot-stuffing, issuance of multiple ballots per person and exclusion of opposition agents. The AU urged Tanzania to undertake electoral and political reforms.

Protests following the vote turned deadly. Opposition figures claim hundreds, and possibly more than a thousand, people were killed during the unrest, allegations which the government has denied or not responded to.

With the arrest of Heche and the continuing detention of Lissu, critics say the crackdown reflects a broader reduction in political space. The Tanzanian government has not responded publicly to the latest terrorism charge.

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