DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania’s leading opposition party, CHADEMA, has called for an independent investigation into the reported abduction of one of its members, activist Mdude Nyagali, who was allegedly seized from his home in the southern city of Mbeya by unidentified men claiming to be police officers.
According to eyewitness accounts and party officials, the incident occurred late on the night of May 2, when a group of men forcibly entered Mr. Nyagali’s residence, beat him severely, and took him away without producing an arrest warrant or offering any explanation.
Neighbors reported that the men identified themselves as members of the police force but offered no documentation to verify their authority.
The incident has triggered public outcry, with human rights advocates and political observers warning of escalating repression in the run-up to Tanzania’s general elections, scheduled for October 2025.
“This incident shows how the government is continuing to undermine human rights and political freedoms,” CHADEMA said in a strongly worded statement on Friday. “It’s a worrying sign that those who speak out against the government are being targeted and treated unlawfully.”
Mr. Nyagali, a prominent critic of the ruling party and a frequent commentator on social media, has previously faced threats and arrests. His current whereabouts remain unknown, and no formal statement has been issued by law enforcement regarding his status or condition.
Tanzania’s Police Force has yet to confirm or deny involvement in the incident but said that an internal investigation is underway. CHADEMA has rejected that approach and is demanding a fully independent inquiry, accountability for those responsible, and the immediate disclosure of Mr. Nyagali’s location and wellbeing.
The case has reignited concerns over shrinking civic space in Tanzania. Since the 2020 elections, in which the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party retained power in a landslide victory, opposition figures, journalists, and activists have reported a sharp increase in surveillance, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests.
Rights groups have warned that the pre-election environment is growing increasingly hostile, with state institutions accused of serving political ends.
As of Saturday morning, Mr. Nyagali’s family and party colleagues say they have not been allowed any access to him or received updates from local authorities.
“The message is clear: speak out, and you disappear,” said one CHADEMA official who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. “This is not just about Mdude. It’s about the erosion of basic democratic rights in Tanzania.”
The incident has drawn concern from regional observers and international partners.
Analysts warn that how the government responds could shape both the credibility of the October elections and Tanzania’s broader democratic trajectory.
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