The incident comes just days ahead of local elections, highlighting growing tensions between the ruling party and opposition forces.
Chadema announced Mbowe’s release early Saturday on the social media platform X, confirming that he was freed around midnight local time.
His arrest occurred on Friday in the Halungu region, western Tanzania, where he and other party officials were en route to a rally in Mlowo, located in the southern part of the country.
Regional police commander Augustino Senga explained that the arrest was due to an alleged attempt to hold a “gathering in an area not designated for Chadema.”
Authorities also reported injuries to officers during the dispersal of the crowd.
Speaking after his release, Mbowe dismissed the allegations, calling them “baseless” and asserting that several other party members remain in custody.
Political Context
The arrest comes amid heightened political activity leading up to the local elections scheduled for Wednesday, seen as a crucial precursor to Tanzania’s presidential election in October 2025.
Chadema has previously criticized the disqualification of several of its candidates, raising concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, faces her first major electoral test.
Her administration, initially noted for easing political restrictions and fostering openness, now faces scrutiny over its handling of dissent and opposition activities.
Chadema has called on the international community to monitor the elections closely, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the democratic process.
The unfolding events are likely to shape the political landscape ahead of the presidential race, setting the tone for Tanzania’s democratic trajectory.
