Tundu Lissu, the chairman of Tanzania’s opposition party CHADEMA, was charged with treason on Thursday, April 10th, 2025, following his arrest a day earlier after a rally in the Ruvuma region. Lissu, who was the runner-up in the 2020 presidential election, was also charged with publishing false information.
During his court appearance in Dar es Salaam, Lissu was not allowed to enter a plea regarding the treason charge but pleaded not guilty to the accusation of spreading false information. His lawyer, Jebra Kambole, confirmed that Lissu’s bail has been denied for the treason charge.
“Lissu has been charged with treason, which has no bail,” attorney Jebra Kambole said.
The charges come from a YouTube video Lissu posted on April 3rd, 2025, in which he made controversial statements regarding the electoral process and accused the police and judiciary of misconduct. Prosecutors argue that these statements were deliberately misleading.
Lissu’s arrest came after he addressed a rally in Mbinga district, Ruvuma region, where he led the ongoing “No Reforms, No Election” campaign, calling for electoral reforms ahead of Tanzania’s 2025 General Election. This move has drawn attention to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s handling of political opposition, as she faces criticism from human rights groups over recent crackdowns on opposition leaders.
Lissu’s lawyers have expressed concern over how political opponents are treated, with Kambole emphasizing that “the treason charge is politically motivated.”
Lissu, who is also a former Member of Parliament, has previously been the target of government repression, having survived an assassination attempt in 2017. He has consistently called for reforms and warned that Chadema would oppose the elections unless changes are made to ensure free and fair voting.
The case has been adjourned to April 24, 2025.
