The European Parliament has formally submitted the name of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, following an official presentation by MEP Michael Gahler.
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In his statement before parliament, Gahler described Lissu as a man who has “spent decades peacefully fighting for democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms in Tanzania at enormous personal cost.” He recalled Lissu’s survival of a 2017 assassination attempt, his return to Tanzania to continue political work, and his arrest in April 2025 on treason charges after addressing a rally in Minga.
Gahler stressed that Lissu’s detention, together with the disqualification of his party CHADEMA from the 2025 elections, had “incapacitated the main opposition and significantly reduced the competitiveness of the election.” The African Union later concluded that the polls, marred by violence that claimed over 500 lives, failed to meet international democratic standards.
Seventeen months on, Lissu remains behind bars. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for his immediate and unconditional release, most recently after the 2025 elections. Lawmakers emphasized that his case reflects a broader deterioration of democratic space in Tanzania, where opposition figures, journalists, and activists face arbitrary arrests and repression.
By officially submitting his name, the European Parliament seeks to honor Lissu’s courage and highlight the principle that elections only have meaning when citizens are offered a genuine political choice.
The Sakharov Prize, awarded annually, recognizes individuals and organizations who dedicate their lives to defending human rights and freedom of thought.
Lissu now awaits a crucial verdict expected in November, a decision that will determine the outcome of the treason charges that have kept him behind bars for more than 17 months. His supporters argue that the trial itself reflects the shrinking democratic space in Tanzania, while European lawmakers stress that the proceedings will be a defining moment for the country’s commitment to justice and political freedoms.
