Tanzanian Opposition MP Arrested

Opposition MP and leader of the Alliance for Change and Transparency Zitto Kabwe has been arrested and banned from foreign travel.

Taking to Twitter, Kabwe says he was detained at the airport as he was leaving the country. He claims to have been accused of violating section 50(1)(a) of the Media Services Act. If found guilty he could face a fine of up to 20 million shillings and five years in prison.

Section 50 of the Media Services Act is among the elements of the Act that the East African Court of Justice has declared to be in violation of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community as a result of its impact on the freedom of expression. The Act makes it a criminal offence to publish information that is intentionally or recklessly falsified that may threaten the interests of the country.

Kabwe is a known critic of President John Magufuli, blaming his administration for the troubled state of the economy and the intimidation of political leaders. Kabwe has been arrested on several previous occasions charged with incitement, holding political gatherings without a permit and sedition.