The European Parliament will convene on May 7th, 2025 for an urgent debate on the case of Tundu Lissu, the leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA. Lissu, who has faced repeated arrests over the years, is currently on trial for treason, a charge that carries the potential for a death sentence. His arrest comes just months before Tanzania’s general elections in October.
CHADEMA has been calling for reforms in the electoral process, including the creation of an independent electoral commission, to ensure that elections are free and fair in Tanzania. The charges against Lissu have raised concerns, both in Tanzania and internationally, with many calling it a politically motivated attempt to silence political opposition ahead of the elections.
The European Parliament’s debate will focus on issues of fundamental freedoms, human rights and democracy in general, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, which has faced allegations of undermining democratic freedoms.
According to the European Parliament’s official website, the debate will run from 13:00 to 22:00. After discussing and drafting a resolution referenced as 2025/2690 (RSP), members of the European Parliament will vote on it the following day, May 8th, 2025.
