In brief
Tanzanian academic Melkisedek Kaijage has been charged with terrorism following an arrest two weeks ago for allegedly inciting anti‑government protests that were banned ahead of the July 7 demonstrations. The university lecturer spent 15 days in police custody before the charges were upgraded and he will now remain in detention pending a higher‑court hearing. The move follows a wider crackdown on opposition activists after a post‑election crackdown that saw hundreds killed or injured in 2025. Kaijage, who taught political science and public administration, is said to have threatened to burn public buildings as part of intimidation tactics, a crime punishable by up to a life sentence under Tanzanian law.
Professor Melkisedek Kaijage of the University of Dodoma was arrested last month and is now facing terrorism charges after the Tanzanian government detained more than 130 people on the eve of a planned wave of anti‑government protests.
Kaijage, who teaches political science and public administration, appeared at a magistrate’s court to request bail after spending 15 days in police custody when his original charge of incitement was upgraded to terrorism. He was not asked to enter a plea at the Thursday hearing because terrorism cases can only be heard by a higher court, meaning he will remain detained until a trial is scheduled.
The authorities had deployed security forces across major cities on July 7 and warned that they would act against anyone accused of inciting unrest. Prosecutors now claim Kaijage threatened to burn public buildings as part of intimidation tactics, an offence that carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment under Tanzanian law.
The lecturer’s colleagues described him as a respected academic whose popularity stemmed from his teaching rather than political activism. University of Dodoma’s staff association chairman Gerald Shija noted that Kaijage had been transferred from police custody to Isanga Prison in the capital, Dodoma.
Kaijage’s case reflects a broader crackdown by the authorities on opposition figures critical of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Last month the government suspended political rallies across the country, citing the need to maintain security after a post‑poll crackdown that left 518 people dead or injured and heightened tensions in the nation.
The crackdown follows a contentious 2025 election in which President Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote, a result dismissed by the opposition as a “mockery” after their two main challengers were excluded.
