Alicia Magabe Lissu, wife of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, has revealed that she has not spoken to or seen her husband in a year since his arrest and treason charges.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa Eye, Alicia, who now resides in Belgium, said she has been tracking developments in her husband’s case through online reports, legal representatives, and relatives.

She described the period immediately after his arrest as emotionally overwhelming.
“The first three months were very difficult. I was overwhelmed by thoughts,” Alicia said.

Tundu Lissu, 58, who chairs the opposition Party for Democracy and Progress, CHADEMA, was detained in April 2025 during a party campaign themed “No Reforms, No Election.”

According to Tanzanian authorities, the campaign was intended to mobilize citizens against the 2025 general election. The government linked the slogan to incitement, which led to Lissu being charged with treason.

Alicia said the seriousness of the charges left her deeply concerned for her husband’s safety.
“I was filled with great fear. Lissu had been arrested several times before, but this time he was facing a much more serious charge,” she said.

Under Tanzanian law, treason is a non-bailable offence and carries a potential death penalty upon conviction. Alicia noted that because of the nature of the case, communication with her husband has been extremely limited.

The Tanzanian government, meanwhile, has rejected allegations that political freedoms and civic space are being restricted.

In a response to the BBC in January 2026, the government stated that under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the political environment has continued to liberalize, with political parties and citizens permitted to hold meetings and engage in political activities.

It also claimed that Tanzania has made strides in press freedom relative to other countries in East Africa.

On the Lissu case specifically, the government said it could not comment because the matter is before the courts, and reiterated that “no one is above the law.”

Officials further noted that President Samia had previously invited Lissu to return from exile to resume political activities in Tanzania.