The Chairman of CHADEMA, Tundu Lissu, has said that the Republic has failed to establish the basis of the treason charge against him and is asking the High Court to declare that he has no case to answer.
Lissu made the remarks today, Monday, August 17, 2026, after the Republic closed its case, which was presented through 17 witnesses. He insisted that the evidence presented does not meet the threshold required for him to begin his defense.
In presenting his “No Case to Answer” submission, Lissu argued that the Republic had failed to prove both the intent to commit treason and the actions that demonstrate that intent.
According to Lissu, the evidence presented by the prosecution has not shown, to the required legal standard, that he committed the acts constituting the offence of treason as alleged in the charge sheet.
He further stated that if the evidence presented by the Republic cannot lead the Court to convict him, even if left unchallenged by the defense, then there is no basis for requiring him to present a defense.
On that basis, Lissu has asked the Court to invoke Section 312(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act and declare that he has no case to answer, instead of requiring him to enter the defense stage.
The High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, sitting before a panel of three judges, is now expected to review the submissions of both sides, together with the evidence presented, before making a ruling on whether Lissu has a case to answer.
Lissu, 58, is one of the politicians described as having major influence in Tanzania’s opposition politics. The lawyer entered Parliament in 2010 as MP for Singida East on the CHADEMA ticket and later became one of the government’s leading critics. He has also served as President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), and since January 2025, he has been CHADEMA Chairman.
His influence has also extended beyond Tanzania’s borders, as he has participated in international discussions on democracy, good governance, and political reform.
This is not the first time Lissu has been arrested or detained for his political activities. In 2017 alone, he was arrested several times before being shot in September that year. He was later forced to seek treatment in Kenya and subsequently in Belgium.
However, the current treason case is the one that has led to Lissu spending the longest period in custody in his political history. He was arrested on April 9, 2025, and as of today, August 17, 2026, he has been in detention for more than 16 months awaiting the conclusion of this case.
Now that the Republic has closed its case, attention has turned to the Court to determine whether the evidence establishes a basis for Lissu to have a case to answer, or whether the Court will agree with his submission that he has no case to answer. A ruling is expected to be delivered on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM
