Tanzania’s main opposition figure, Tundu Lissu, has been charged with treason, just a day after his arrest following a rally held in the southern part of the country. The charge is linked to his ongoing nationwide campaign for electoral reforms under the slogan “No Reforms, No Election.”
Tanzania is set to hold general elections in October, where Lissu is expected to challenge President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Lissu has repeatedly argued that without comprehensive reforms, “there is no chance of a free-and-fair election in six months.” He has specifically called for changes to the composition of the electoral commission, insisting it should not be made up of individuals appointed directly by President Samia.
Authorities have accused the campaign of inciting the public against the general elections.
When Samia took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, she was initially lauded for rolling back some of Magufuli’s authoritarian policies. However, she has faced growing criticism in recent months over arrests and abductions targeting opposition members.
Lissu, who leads the Chadema party, has faced multiple arrests in the past. In 2017, during Magufuli’s presidency, he survived an assassination attempt in which he was shot 16 times. He later went into exile and briefly returned in 2020 to run against Magufuli in the elections, only to leave again after alleging massive electoral fraud. He returned in 2023 following President Samia’s promise of greater political openness.
On Thursday, police fired tear gas at Chadema supporters and blocked party leaders from addressing a press conference regarding Lissu’s arrest. Despite the clampdown, supporters remain defiant.
“We are surprised that the police are harassing us when our rallies are peaceful,” one supporter told journalists.
“We know the ruling party, CCM, is behind all this. We will fight for changes before elections.”
Human rights organisations have criticised the government’s heavy-handed response, accusing it of using state institutions to suppress dissent. A lawyers’ association described Lissu’s arrest and the crackdown on Chadema members as “an abuse of power and a clear sign of political intolerance.”
Tundu Lissu’s treason case has been adjourned until April 24.
