Joseph Isangura
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason, just a day after his arrest following a rally in the southern part of the country an incident that has sent ripples through the country’s political scene as it gears up for general elections in October.
Lissu, a vocal figure in the opposition party CHADEMA and a prominent critic of the ruling government, had been touring the country under his movement dubbed “No Reforms, No Election”, aimed at pushing for sweeping changes in the country’s electoral system. The slogan has gained traction among his supporters but has also drawn the ire of authorities, who now accuse him of inciting rebellion.
According to prosecutors, the treason charge stems from remarks Lissu made at a rally, where he reportedly said: “It is true we say we will prevent the election. We will inspire rebellion. That is the way to get change.” Authorities allege that these statements amounted to a threat to national security.
He appeared in court in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, but was not allowed to respond to the treason charge, which in Tanzania is considered a serious offence punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Lissu, however, denied a separate charge of publishing false information.
His legal team, led by lawyer Rugemeleza Nshala, has dismissed the charges as politically motivated. “This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the opposition and silence dissent,” Nshala told reporters outside the courtroom.
The arrest has sparked outrage among civil society groups and human rights defenders, who argue that it reflects a shrinking space for political expression in the country. Many are now questioning whether the upcoming elections will truly be free and fair.
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President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who came into office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, was initially welcomed for her more open and conciliatory approach. However, critics say that recent crackdowns on the opposition signal a return to the authoritarian tendencies of the past.
Lissu, who survived a brutal assassination attempt in 2017 and spent years in exile in Belgium, returned to Tanzania with renewed energy and a determination to fight for democratic change. His arrest now raises questions about whether political rivals will be allowed to challenge the ruling party without facing persecution.
With just months to go before the elections, the government’s response to dissent and the fairness of the political process will remain under the microscope both at home and internationally. For many Tanzanians, the stakes have never been higher.
