Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has joined dozens of democracy leaders and activists from around the world in signing a joint statement calling for the release of Tanzania’s opposition figures Tundu Lissu and John Heche.

In a post shared on his official X account, Sifuna said he had signed the statement alongside democrats from all corners of the world, urging the Tanzanian government to release the two CHADEMA leaders, who remain in custody ahead of the country’s October 29 elections.

The joint declaration, issued by the Platform for African Democrats (PAD) on October 28, demands the immediate and unconditional release of both leaders. The statement accuses Tanzanian authorities of violating human rights through unlawful detention, enforced disappearances and the silencing of opposition voices.

PAD, a coalition of political leaders, human rights defenders and reform advocates across Africa, said Heche’s disappearance after his arrest on October 22 and Lissu’s continued detention on treason charges has raised concern that state power is being used to silence opposition voices.

Lissu’s case has been postponed to November 3, just days after the election, keeping him behind bars during the elections. The statement, signed by leaders including former ministers, presidential candidates and MPs from across Africa, urges regional bodies such as the African Union and East African Community to pressure Tanzania to uphold democratic freedoms.

Sifuna’s remarks add to growing regional concern about the political climate in Tanzania, where rights groups have reported abductions and disappearances of opposition figures, journalists and activists in recent weeks.