Joseph Isangura
The leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party, Tundu Lissu, returned to court on Thursday for the second time in a day, now facing a new set of charges linked to statements he allegedly made on social media.
Lissu, who serves as the national chairman of CHADEMA, was brought before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in the afternoon where he was formally charged with three counts of publishing false information on X (formerly Twitter). This appearance came just hours after he had stood before the same court to face a separate, more serious charge of treason — all within the same day.
The treason charge, which was read earlier on Thursday, is scheduled for mention on April 24. That case accuses Lissu of attempting to undermine state authority through remarks he made during a political rally held in Mbinga, Ruvuma Region — where he was arrested on Wednesday, April 9. According to police, he was taken into custody shortly after the rally, then transported to Dar es Salaam for further questioning at the Central Police Station.
In court, Lissu appeared calm but firm, flanked by his legal team and closely watched by party supporters and observers. For the treason charge, proceedings were brief, and he was not asked to enter a plea. However, during the second session, he pleaded not guilty to all three misinformation charges.
The prosecution alleges that the posts he made on X contained “fabricated information” which could “disrupt public order.” No specific details of the posts were disclosed in court, though authorities claimed they violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
Lissu’s arrest and the charges filed against him have sparked fresh concerns over political freedoms in the country. Critics — including several civil society groups and analysts — argue that the legal action appears to be politically motivated, particularly given the proximity to the 2025 general elections.
“This isn’t about justice. It’s about silencing one of the loudest voices in the opposition,” said a supporter who had gathered outside the court. “We’ve seen this before. It’s a pattern.”
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This marks yet another chapter in Lissu’s turbulent political journey. In 2017, he survived a brutal assassination attempt and spent years recovering in exile. His return to Tanzania in 2023 was met with hopes of a more open political space, but recent developments seem to dim that optimism.
As the case moves forward, Lissu remains in custody, pending further decisions from the court. His legal team has indicated they intend to file for bail, though that process is expected to face challenges given the severity of the treason charge.
The unfolding events are drawing growing attention both within and outside Tanzania, as observers weigh the implications of Lissu’s arrest on the country’s democratic future. The coming weeks could prove pivotal — not just for Lissu, but for the political tone of an election year that is already shaping up to be contentious.
