Tanzania: Opposition party office burned down in Arusha August 14

Event

Unknown assailants burned down the headquarters of the Chadema opposition party in Arusha's Kwangelelo area at around 02:00 (local time) on Friday, August 14. The office was empty at the time of the attack and no casualties have been reported. The party's leader, Tundu Lissu, was due to visit Arusha on Friday, and vowed to go through with his visit despite the suspected arson incident. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the incident.

Further election-related incidents and violence are possible in Tanzania in the run-up to the October elections.

Context

Lissu returned to Tanzania in July after surviving as assassination attempt in 2017. He has been nominated by Chadema to run for the presidency in October's general elections.

Advice

Individuals in Tanzania are advised to keep abreast of the political situation, avoid all public demonstrations and election-related events as a precaution, avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.