Iringa. Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has strongly denied allegations by the ruling party, CCM, that it is planning to incite violence through demonstrations and political mobilization.

Speaking at a public rally held on Saturday evening, June 13, 2026, at Mwembetogwa grounds in Iringa Municipality in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, CHADEMA Vice Chairman John Heche dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and driven by fear within the ruling establishment following growing public support for the opposition party.

Heche said the large crowds attending CHADEMA’s nationwide public meetings had unsettled CCM leaders, particularly after the opposition spent nearly a year restricted from carrying out political activities.

“This public rally — is this what they call violence?” Heche asked supporters gathered at the event.

He insisted that CHADEMA remains committed to peace, constitutionalism, and lawful political engagement. According to him, the party would not be distracted from its demands for constitutional reforms and the release of its chairman, Tundu Lissu, who remains in detention.

“We are a party of peace and justice,” Heche told supporters. “We will not accept these threats from CCM anymore. Everything we do is being scrutinized — by the Registrar, by CCM, by every authority. What exactly do they want from CHADEMA? Did they expect us to become a puppet party?”

Heche also suggested that the renewed pressure against CHADEMA intensified after the party’s new leadership under Lissu adopted a tougher political stance against what it describes as “deceptive politics” within the opposition landscape.

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His remarks came only hours after CCM’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, Kenani Kihongosi, told reporters in Dodoma that the ruling party had received “credible information” alleging that CHADEMA had held secret meetings to organize unrest through planned demonstrations.

Kihongosi called on security agencies to remain vigilant and urged Tanzanians to protect national peace and stability.

“CCM has received reliable information that our colleagues in CHADEMA have conducted secret meetings aimed at mobilizing violence through demonstrations they are organizing,” Kihongosi said. 

“Our duty as Tanzanians is to protect peace because peace is our freedom. We should not allow political ideologies or activist groups to incite unrest and damage the good image of our nation.”

The allegations come amid growing online discussion surrounding planned protests reportedly scheduled for July 7 — commonly referred to as “Saba Saba,” meaning “Seven Seven” in Swahili. Some social media users have promoted the demonstrations as a platform to demand political reforms and accountability.

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Kihongosi claimed that the messaging surrounding the proposed protests closely resembles recent statements made by CHADEMA leaders.

However, Heche accused CCM of using the allegations as part of a broader strategy to weaken and possibly eliminate the opposition party from the political scene. He argued that the repeated attacks against CHADEMA were deliberate and systematic rather than coincidental.

“We have gone through extremely difficult moments in this country under this administration,” Heche said during the rally.

The escalating war of words between CCM and CHADEMA reflects rising political tensions in Tanzania as opposition groups intensify calls for democratic reforms.