In mid-late July this year, Tanzanian opposition leader Freeman Mbowe — a man who once called for 'bloodshed' during a political speech in 2010 — was arrested in Tanzania on terrorism financing charges.

It needn't be lingered on thoroughly that the arrest of an opposition leader will have an undesirable impact on investor confidence anywhere in the world. In the name of due diligence, however, I have decided to quickly delve into some regional context.

Perhaps most importantly — Mbowe was originally charged with similar terrorism offences in March last year, for which he was charged, and ultimately fined. Mbowe did not receive jailtime.

Then, in June 2021, over a year later, Mbowe had his conviction overturned by the Tanzanian High Court.

A month later, in July 2021, he was re-arrested, and re-charged, on almost identical charges, bringing us to where we are now.

The main allegations relate to the misappropriation of exclusive funds to support paramilitary groups, and, corresponding with members of known violent groups.

Freeman Mbowe has been a longtime member of Tanzania's main opposition party, which has its name shortened to "Chadema" in the Tanzanian political circuit.

It is important to note Freeman Mbowe is a longtime player in Tanzania's political culture, rising to prominence in the Chadema ranks in 2005, from relative "obscurity." At that time, Mbowe's rise to prominence came with its own controversies, as sources typically suggest Mbowe exploited factional division within the opposition to further his own career.

Further context must also be considered — Mbowe is currently the focus of his own controversy in Tanzania, after he dismissed 19 female members of Parliament at once late last year on contested grounds.

Those 19 MPs have appealed the decision, and an ongoing inquiry continues to unfold.

It is clear that Freeman Mbowe is a controversial figure within his own political party, let alone within the ruling party.

Further reports from the last 5 days have cleared some other things up. Three members of Chadema caught up in the most recent rounds of arrests have since been released, with Tanzanian prosecutors dropping the charges.

The charges which appear to have stuck in this latest development are more focussed on 'economic sabotage.'

While it does appear as if the Tanzanian government are utilising the criminal justice system to stifle critics, it cannot be ignored that Freeman Mbowe is a colourful political character in Tanzania — who has kept his place as a key opposition figure for the last sixteen years.

Featured image: Tanzanian opposition Chairman Freeman Mbowe in November last year

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