Clerics in Tanzania have come forth to warn against the series of arrests targeting local politicians, calling for immediate release of those being held for their ideological stance.
Members of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) which is a permanent institution serving as the Assembly of the Bishops in the country, made their position while delivering their joint sermon for Easter Holidays.
The clergy, through the TEC President, Archbishop Wolfgang Pisa of the Lindi Catholic Archdiocese, pointed out that peace can never be achieved by resulting to violence against people of different political beliefs.
“It is the responsibility of each and every Tanzanian, including leaders, to safeguard the country’s peace, especially now that the country is preparing for the forthcoming General Elections of 2025,” Bishop Pisa maintained.
“Let’s face it, who exactly is breaching peace? The ones who force the electoral process to go the way they want it or those who call for reviewing the process and adjust it to suit the democratic requirement of the nation?” asked the TEC President during his Easter Vigil Sermon.
The mass was held at the Saint Andrea Catholic Cathedral in Lindi.
“We therefore call upon the state to instantly release all the people who have been arrested for demanding people’s rights during and after elections,” insisted the cleric.
On his part, the Bishop for the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Dr Frederick Shoo called upon government leaders to listen to the people and respect their decisions as far as elections are concerned.
Preaching at a sermon in Moshi Municipality of Kilimanjaro, Bishop Shoo warned all people who want to tamper with the election process by undermining others.
The clergy call comes at the time when Tanzania is steeped in unrest following the waves of crackdown on the opposition leaders as the country braces for the General Elections.
State organs recently forcefully arrested the leader of the main opposition party in Tanzania, Advocate Tundu Antipas Lissu while addressing a political rally.
During the well-attended open-air meeting, the outspoken politician demanded an independent, free and fair electoral commission towards the forthcoming October polls.
Since then, Advocate Lissu, who is also the chairperson of the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party is still being held under custody in an unknown prison as thousands of Tanzania demand his release.