Tundu Lissu, a prominent Tanzanian opposition leader and chairman of the CHADEMA party, has faced significant legal challenges stemming from his political activities, particularly his campaign for electoral reforms ahead of Tanzania’s October 2025 general elections. Below is a detailed account of the court charges brought against him, the context surrounding these charges, and the current status of his case, organized under relevant subheadings.
Briefly about Tundu Lissu’s Background
Tundu Lissu is a seasoned politician, lawyer, and vocal critic of the Tanzanian government. As the leader of CHADEMA, Tanzania’s main opposition party, he has consistently advocated for democratic reforms and challenged the ruling party’s grip on power. Lissu gained international attention after surviving an assassination attempt in 2017, during which he was shot 16 times.
He went into exile, returning briefly in 2020 to contest the presidential election and again in 2023 after President Samia Suluhu Hassan introduced measures to allow greater political freedoms. His “No Reforms, No Election” campaign, launched in 2025, has been central to his recent legal troubles, as he has publicly argued that the upcoming elections cannot be free or fair without significant electoral changes.
His Arrests and Charges
On April 9, 2025, Lissu was arrested in Mbinga, Ruvuma Region, shortly after addressing a public rally as part of his nationwide campaign. The arrest occurred in the presence of police, who reportedly used tear gas to disperse CHADEMA supporters attempting to gather for a press conference about the incident. The following day, April 10, Lissu was arraigned at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, where he faced serious charges.
What Treason Charges means to Tanzania
The primary charge against Lissu is treason, a capital offense in Tanzania that carries the possibility of the death penalty. According to the charge sheet, the treason accusation stems from statements he allegedly made on April 3, 2025, during a public gathering in Dar es Salaam. Prosecutors claim Lissu said, “It is true we say we will prevent the election. We will inspire rebellion. That is the way to get change,” and, “So we are going to spoil this election. We are going to really disrupt… We are going to spoil it very badly.”
The authorities argue that these remarks incited the public to obstruct the general elections, constituting a treasonous act. During his court appearance, Lissu was not allowed to enter a plea on the treason charge and was remanded into custody.
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Other Additional Charges to Tundu Lissu
In addition to treason, Lissu was charged with three counts of publishing false information under Section 16 of Tanzania’s Cyber Crimes Act. These charges relate to a YouTube video posted on April 3, 2025, in which he allegedly claimed that CHADEMA candidates were disqualified in the 2024 local government elections under the president’s instructions, that police were used to steal votes, and that judges loyal to the ruling CCM party could not deliver justice. Prosecutors assert these statements were knowingly false and intended to mislead the public. Lissu pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment for His Case
Lissu’s court appearance on April 10, 2025, drew significant attention, with supporters and opposition politicians present. His defense team, led by prominent lawyers such as Rugemeleza Nshala, argued that the charges were politically motivated, aimed at silencing Lissu’s campaign for electoral reforms. The treason case was adjourned to April 24, 2025, for further proceedings, and Lissu remains in custody, as treason is a non-bailable offense in Tanzania. The false information charges are also scheduled to be revisited on the same date.
Some Lissu’s History with Legal Challenges
This is not the first time Lissu has faced legal action. During Magufuli’s presidency, he was arrested multiple times, including in 2016 for sedition over an article published in the Mawio newspaper. Those charges were later dropped in 2021. In 2020, shortly after returning from exile to run for president, he faced sedition charges again, which stalled after his 2017 assassination attempt forced him to seek medical treatment abroad. These recurring legal battles underscore Lissu’s long-standing role as a thorn in the side of Tanzania’s ruling establishment.