Faith Nyasuguta
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, chairman of the Chadema party, has been charged with treason following his arrest at a public rally where he advocated for electoral reforms. The development is raising concerns about the government’s commitment to democracy ahead of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s expected re-election bid in October.
Lissu was taken into custody on Wednesday after speaking at a peaceful rally in Mbinga, southern Tanzania. Video footage showed him refusing to enter a police vehicle, insisting he had broken no law. “We held a peaceful meeting… What is the problem?” he asked officers moments before police fired tear gas to disperse his supporters.
On Thursday, Lissu appeared at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar-es-Salaam, accompanied by lawyers and fellow opposition politicians. Though charged with treason, he was not permitted to enter a plea on that count. He did, however, plead not guilty to a separate charge of publishing false information and is expected back in court on April 24.
His lawyer, Rugemeleza Nshala, described the charges as politically motivated. “You cannot separate these charges from politics,” Nshala said. “He was simply engaging supporters and educating them about Chadema’s goals, but they have criminalised his words.”
The government’s case hinges on a statement allegedly made by Lissu in Dar-es-Salaam on April 3. According to the charge sheet, Lissu said: “We will prevent the election. We will inspire rebellion- We are going to spoil this election. We are going to really disrupt it.”
Lissu is a longtime critic of the ruling party and survived an assassination attempt in 2017 when he was shot 16 times. His recent arrest has reignited concerns about shrinking political space in Tanzania.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan initially drew praise for reversing some of the repressive policies of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Under her leadership, political opponents were granted more freedom, and restrictions on the media were eased. However, critics say the tide is turning.
Human rights activists have raised alarms over a growing number of arrests, abductions, and unexplained killings targeting opposition figures. Despite the criticism, President Hassan insists her government is committed to upholding human rights and last year ordered an investigation into reports of political abductions.
As the 2025 election season nears, the charges against Lissu could further heighten tensions in the country and cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the upcoming vote.
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