ARUSHA, Tanzania, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian police on Tuesday announced the arrest of seven people for allegedly fuelling online campaign for countrywide demonstrations on the country's Union Day.
Union Day marks the creation of Tanzania through the union of Tanganyika and the offshore island nation of Zanzibar on April 26, 1964.
Acting Arusha Regional Police Commander Yusuph Ilembo told the media that the accused, including college students, are in police custody for using various social media platforms to mobilize the public to take part in the unlawful demonstrations.
"The seven are due to appear in court anytime from now as we continue to look for other suspects with a similar plot," he said.
Ilembo urged Arusha residents to stay away from the outlawed demonstrations, warning that whoever wishing to take part could be risking their lives.
A U.S.-based Tanzanian social media activist, Mange Kimambi, has called for nationwide anti-government demonstrations on April 26 to protest over what she terms as a diminution of political freedoms and human rights abuses.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli has warned that those who demonstrate illegally will be taught a lesson that they will never forget.
Demonstrations are allowed under Tanzanian law, but Section 44 of Police Force and Auxiliary Services Act requires a person to notify the police of his intention to convene or assemble, which police may reject if they believe that the assembly may constitute a breach of peace.
