Tundu Lissu Arrested, Transported to Dar Es Salaam

The national chairman of Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema, Tundu Lissu has been arrested by the police in Ruvuma Region, just after addressing a rally in Mbinga Town on Wednesday,

April 9, 2025. His supporters, as well as the party’s leadership, have expressed concern over his detention, with many questioning the reasons behind the arrest.

Chadema spokesperson, Ms. Brenda Rupia, confirmed on Thursday, April 10, 2025, that Mr. Lissu was being transferred to Dar es Salaam, having left Songea the previous evening. However, she was unable to confirm whether he had already arrived in the city.

“He is currently on his way to Dar es Salaam, having left Songea yesterday evening,” said Ms. Rupia. “We are still waiting for confirmation that he’s arrived, but we are monitoring the situation closely.”

Though Mr. Lissu remains in police custody, three of his associates — two bodyguards and a party member, Mr. Shija Shebeshi — have been released. The arrest came after a public rally in Mbinga Town, which seemed to be routine until the unexpected detention.

Ruvuma Regional Police Commander, Marco Chilya, briefly spoke to Mwananchi Digital on the matter but indicated that he was still verifying details of the incident. Despite repeated attempts, both he and Police Spokesperson David Misime have yet to respond to further inquiries regarding the nature of the arrest.

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For now, the reasons behind Mr. Lissu’s arrest remain unclear, leaving many in Tanzania puzzled. The opposition party, civil society groups, and political observers are all closely following the situation, as it raises further questions about the political climate in the country.

The detention of opposition leaders in Tanzania has become a point of contention in recent years, and this incident adds to the growing concerns about the freedom of expression and political engagement in the country.