President Samia Suluhu’s Administration has sustained an opposition crackdown months before Tanzania’s general elections.
The latest target is Brenda Rupia, Director of Communications and Publicity for Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Tanzania’s main opposition party. Rupia was arrested on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Namanga border by Tanzanian authorities while attempting to travel to Kenya en route to Germany, where she was scheduled to attend a training on democracy and elections.
According to the Tanzania Police Spokesperson, Rupia was arrested over allegations of spreading false and inciting information and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The Tanzania Police Force would like to inform the public that it has arrested Brenda Rupia Jonas for interrogation in connection with allegations of spreading false and inciting information,” read part of the police statement.
The spokesperson added that “further legal procedures will follow in accordance with the country’s laws.”
Samia Suluhu Govt Arrests Brenda Rupia
In response to the arrest, CHADEMA’s Director of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, John Kitoka, issued a statement, describing the incident as part of a systematic pattern of political repression under President Samia’s administration.
“This shocking incident is not the first of its kind—it is part of a pattern of systematic repression being carried out by the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan against CHADEMA leaders, including the denial of their right to travel,” the statement read.
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Kitoka cited past incidents, including the travel bans placed on Amani Golugwa, the Acting Deputy Secretary-General for Mainland Tanzania, and Godbless Lema, CHADEMA’s Finance Committee Chair.
CHADEMA condemned the government’s ongoing efforts to silence its leaders and prevent their participation in regional and international democratic platforms.
CHADEMA Demands Immediate Release of Its Party Official
The party demanded Rupia’s immediate and unconditional release, asserting that she has a constitutional right to freedom of movement and political engagement.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Brenda Rupia and call on the government to respect her constitutional right to freedom of movement and political participation,” the statement added.
Rupia’s arrest comes just weeks after she posted a message on her platform on June 30, 2025, denouncing the ruling party CCM’s nomination process.
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She described it as a scripted performance designed to legitimize a sham election and warned that many of the candidates were political opportunists or loyalists, not true public servants.
She called on Tanzanians to reject the process and back CHADEMA’s #NoReformsNoElection campaign, warning that development without systemic reform is an illusion.
Her arrest is the latest in a series of government actions targeting critics of President Suluhu’s administration.
On June 2, 2025, the Tanzanian government deregistered The Glory of Christ Church (Ufufuo na Uzima), led by Bishop Josephat Gwajima, a Member of Parliament. The Registrar of Civil Societies, Emmanuel Kihampa, cited violations of the Societies Act, claiming Gwajima’s sermons were politically charged and aimed at undermining public trust in the government.
Earlier in April, CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, after holding a public rally under the #NoReformsNoElection campaign. He was charged with treason and three counts of publishing false information under the Cyber Crimes Act, following statements he made on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam. Lissu has been attending court hearings since.
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