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Tanzanian police arrested 14 people Monday in an attempt to block opposition-led demonstrations in the city of Dar es Salaam over the kidnapping and killing of opposition figures ahead of elections, Agence France-Presse reported.

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, said among those arrested were party chairman Freeman Mbowe and his deputy, Tundu Lissu, who were detained by police ahead of Monday’s planned demonstrations.

The party has vowed to continue with the protests, despite a ban on gatherings by police.

Over the weekend, riot police were stationed across Tanzania’s commercial capital to prevent protests, the BBC noted.

The protests ignited after the discovery of the body of Ali Mohamed Kibao, a member of the CHADEMA national secretariat, which was found earlier this month. The opposition says that members of Tanzania’s security forces were behind the killing.

CHADEMA has also accused the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of returning the East African country to a repressive rule reminiscent of her predecessor, the late John Magufuli.

Hassan took over following Magufuli’s death in 2021 and signaled a more liberal approach to governing. The changes included lifting a ban on opposition protests and a more open environment for journalists.

She also promised to restore competitive politics. However, human rights groups and other critics warned that the government is reverting to tactics used by Magufuli to intimidate political opponents ahead of this November’s local elections and next year’s general elections.