Joseph Isangura
Prominent opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is currently facing treason charges, made a striking declaration before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court:
he will not appear in court as a lawyer, despite his legal background. Instead, Lissu has opted to represent himself as a defendant and citizen fighting what he describes as politically motivated persecution.
Lissu, the CHADEMA national chairperson, issued the statement during the hearing of Case No. 8607/2025, a high-profile matter in which he is accused of inciting disloyalty to the government—a charge that falls under Tanzania’s penal code for treason, one of the most serious offenses under national law.
Although Lissu is a trained legal professional, holding degrees from both the University of Dar es Salaam and University of Warwick, he clarified that he does not wish to be addressed as a lawyer during the trial.
“I’m a student of the law, but I’m not here as a lawyer. I stand here as a defendant. Let’s agree on that,” he said firmly to the court.
His comments came in response to Principal State Attorney Nassoro Katuga, who argued that Lissu, “wearing the hat of a lawyer,” was using the courtroom for political sympathy. The statement triggered a swift reaction.
Lissu reminded the court that he is representing himself and does not have legal counsel, emphasizing his autonomy in the case. The prosecution, in turn, adjusted its language and referred to him not as a “layperson,” but as someone with legal knowledge, though not appearing in a professional capacity.
The courtroom exchange occurred as Lissu protested another request by the prosecution to delay proceedings so that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) could finalize decisions on whether to proceed with the case or drop it. Lissu criticized the delay as procedural abuse.
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“The DPP has already read the file. By law, a decision should be filed in the High Court of Tanzania, not postponed endlessly,” Lissu argued. “You’ve been delaying since July 10. Enough is enough.”
Arrested on April 9, 2025, Lissu has been held in custody since making a speech in Mbinga District that authorities claim contained seditious content. He has repeatedly stated that his continued detention—particularly near prisoners on death row—is unlawful and mentally taxing.
Lissu’s arrest and prosecution have sparked widespread concern. Amnesty International and other rights groups have described the charges as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in the run-up to the country’s 2025 general election.
This is not Lissu’s first legal ordeal. In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt that left him critically injured. He spent years in exile before returning to Tanzania in 2020 to contest the presidency. In January 2025, he was elected as CHADEMA’s national chairperson, signaling his continued political relevance.
His current courtroom stance—choosing to defend himself and publicly call out judicial delays—reflects not only legal defiance but also an appeal to Tanzanians watching closely.
Legal observers say the case could be a watershed moment for how Tanzania handles political trials, especially under the spotlight of international attention.
“This isn’t just about Lissu,” said a Dar es Salaam-based legal analyst. “It’s about whether our judicial system can uphold fairness, especially in politically sensitive cases.”
