On Monday, May 19, 2025, Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu appeared in person at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam to face charges of treason and publishing false information online. This marked his first physical court appearance since his arrest on April 9, following his refusal to participate in virtual hearings and a subsequent hunger strike protesting the use of remote proceedings .
Lissu, who survived a 2017 assassination attempt and was the runner-up in the 2020 presidential election, is accused of inciting public rebellion through a speech advocating for electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming October elections. The treason charge carries a maximum sentence of death and is non-bailable under Tanzanian law.
The courtroom appearance was conducted under heavy security, with officers escorting Lissu through a rear entrance to avoid public and media attention. Supporters gathered outside, chanting slogans demanding electoral reforms and expressing solidarity with Lissu’s stance.
In a related development, several Kenyan human rights activists, including former Justice Minister Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, were denied entry into Tanzania over the weekend. They had traveled to attend Lissu’s trial in a show of support but were detained and deported upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Karua condemned the actions as a misuse of state power and an infringement on democratic principles.
Lissu’s political party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified from participating in the upcoming general elections after refusing to sign a mandatory electoral code of conduct, which the party views as biased in favor of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. The disqualification has sparked concerns among human rights groups about the suppression of opposition voices and the erosion of democratic freedoms in Tanzania.
As the trial proceeds, the international community and domestic observers are closely monitoring the situation, which underscores the growing political tensions in Tanzania ahead of the October elections.
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