Tanzania anger over 'electoral intimidation tactics'

Tanzanian opposition leader Zitto Kabwe has been released on bail after spending a night in custody.

He was arrested along with several colleagues for holding an internal meeting of his Act Wazalendo party.

They were told by the police that the gathering, in Kilwa South in the south-eastern region of Lindi, was unlawful and “endangered the peace”, the party said.

The group must appear in court next Wednesday.

“The weak nature of the charges coupled with lack of particulars clearly demonstrates that this was indeed a repressive attempt by the CCM [governing party] government to intimidate and harass electoral competition using state organs,” an Act Wazalendo statement said.

“We call upon the police to immediately drop the charges and apologise to Zitto and our colleagues.”

Meanwhile, police in the main city of Dar es Salaam have released two human rights activists who were arrested earlier on Wednesday.

They were attending a training conference organised by rights group Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and were freed on condition they submit their training materials for inspection.

Tanzania is due to hold elections in October when President John Magufuli is expected to seek a second term in office.

This article originally appeared on BBC News. [Photo: ACT Wazalendo]