Joseph Isangura
Tundu Lissu, the national chairperson of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, appeared in person at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam on Monday to face charges of treason and the publication of false information. This marked his first physical court appearance since his arrest on April 9, 2025, following his refusal to participate in two consecutive online hearings.
Arriving in a white Land Cruiser belonging to the Tanzania Prisons Service, Lissu was swiftly escorted into the courtroom under tight security. A significant number of security personnel, some with face-obscuring balaclavas, surrounded the vehicle and led him through a rear entrance to prevent public or media visibility. As he entered, Lissu briefly raised two fingers—a gesture associated with CHADEMA.
Inside the courtroom, Lissu faced two separate cases. The first pertains to allegations of publishing false information online, specifically content allegedly disseminated on YouTube. The second, more severe charge, accuses him of treason—a capital offense in Tanzania. The treason charge stems from a speech in which Lissu allegedly called for public rebellion and election disruption ahead of the upcoming October elections. (Reuters)
The courtroom session for the cybercrime case was convened for the prosecution to present its preliminary hearing submissions before proceeding to witness testimonies. A number of citizens were present to follow the proceedings, while both uniformed and plainclothes officers maintained a significant security presence in and around the premises.
Lissu’s arrest and subsequent charges have drawn international attention and criticism. Over the weekend, several Kenyan human rights activists, including former Justice Ministers Martha Karua and Willy Mutunga, were denied entry into Tanzania while attempting to attend Lissu’s trial.
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Their deportation has intensified scrutiny of President Samia Suluhu Hassan‘s human rights record as she seeks reelection.
In April, CHADEMA was disqualified from competing in the 2025 Tanzanian general election after the National Electoral Commission stated that the party had failed to sign a required code of conduct document. This disqualification occurred days after Lissu’s arrest and has been viewed by many as a move to suppress opposition voices.
Lissu, a prominent lawyer and former Member of Parliament for Singida East, has been a vocal critic of the government. He survived an assassination attempt in 2017, where he was shot 16 times, and has since continued to advocate for political reforms and transparency.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for an end to the repression of opposition leaders in Tanzania and have demanded Lissu’s immediate release. They argue that the charges against him are politically motivated and aim to stifle dissent ahead of the national elections.
