Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has officially appointed Senior Counsel Robert Amsterdam as its official legal advisor.

Through a letter dated 25th June 2025 and addressed to Robert Amsterdam’s Washington DC office in the USA, and signed by the party’s vice chairperson, John Heche, Chadema states that the law firm will be responsible for helping them navigate the legal implications facing them both regionally and internationally.

‘’Given the gravity of these circumstances and the regional and international legal implications involved, Chadema recognizes the vital need for a high-level legal support with international reach and credibility. We are therefore proud to welcome Amsterdam and Partners LLP into our team,” said Heche

Robert Amsterdam is an American-Canadian international lawyer who specializes in political and human rights

To this end, Chadema has instructed and authorized Amsterdam to swiftly act in defense of their leadership against politically motivated persecutions and to champion their human rights advocacy before international and regional institutions.

Also, Amsterdam and partners LLP, will represent Chadema in international legal and diplomatic forums, including the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the African Union mechanism, and related platforms.

‘’we place full confidence in your firm’s commitment to justice, rule of law and democratic integrity. We are looking forward to working with you in pursuit of accountability, fairness and the protection of fundamental political rights in Tanzania’’ concluded Heche.

Chadema is currently facing heightened political persecution, legal harassment, and systemic efforts to silence democratic dissent.

The party’s national chairman, Tundu Lissu, was arrested while in a political rally and charged with treason and publication of false informations

His trial charges proceeding is currently underway at Kisutu senior residence magistrate in Dar es Salaam