Joseph Isangura
Opposition leader Godbless Jonathan Lema was stopped from leaving the country early Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Namanga border crossing between Tanzania and Kenya, a move that has triggered political speculation and revived conversations around human rights and freedom of movement.
Lema, a senior politician in the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party and former Member of Parliament for Arusha City, had reportedly intended to travel for personal reasons. However, officers with the Tanzania Immigration Services Department denied him clearance to cross the border.
According to an official statement issued by immigration authorities, the move was not politically motivated. Instead, they stated that the action was “in line with procedures” that allow for temporary travel restrictions when there are “credible grounds” for further administrative or legal inquiries.
“The instructions given to Mr. Lema are consistent with our immigration laws,” read the statement. “He has been asked to report to our Head Office in Dodoma for further clarification. This is a routine measure and not unusual.”
Despite the department’s reassurance, the development quickly gained traction on Twitter, where Lema himself posted updates alleging that the decision was politically influenced. In a series of posts, he claimed he was held at the border for hours, denied access to continue his journey, and had his passport briefly confiscated.
“Being blocked from traveling without any official explanation is disturbing,” Lema wrote. “This raises serious questions about freedom of movement and political targeting.”
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This incident comes amid broader concerns from rights organizations and political analysts over shrinking democratic space in Tanzania. While President Samia Suluhu Hassan has previously pledged to advance democratic reforms, critics argue that institutions remain prone to using state apparatus to suppress dissent.
Notably, this is not Lema’s first experience with political tension. In November 2020, shortly after a disputed general election, he fled Tanzania and sought asylum in Kenya, later relocating to Canada under refugee protection. He returned to Tanzania in 2023 after the government hinted at a more inclusive political atmosphere.
Now, with this latest border incident, observers worry that renewed friction may undermine recent political progress. Several advocacy groups, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), have called for transparency and fairness in the handling of such cases.
“We urge authorities to provide a full explanation and ensure that all legal procedures are followed without prejudice,” LHRC stated in a brief press release Friday afternoon.
