Nairobi/Dar es Salam  - Authorities on the Tanzanian island of Pemba have arrest 12 elders who are advocating independence for the island, it was reported Tuesday.

The Citizen newspaper said the 12 were seized early Monday by security forces and taken to an unknown location.

The move came after last week's developments when Pemba's 12 elders made a demand for secession for Pemba, which is part of the Zanzibar archipelago off the eastern coast of Africa.

The elders had also sought to gain US and UN support for their cause, while alleging that the island had been neglected by the central government.

The Tanzanian government blasted the demand as "treason" and unconstitutional. (dpa)