Tundu Lissu treason case sparks legal and political debate in Tanzania
Tanzanian opposition politician Tundu Lissu is set to appear in court on May 19 for a preliminary hearing. He currently faces treason charges because of a speech in which Lissu called for an uprising to block the country’s general elections in October. The government argued that Lissu’s statement directly contravened the country’s constitutional order.
In remarks delivered on April 3 during a party event, Lissu stated: “We will block the election, we will mobilize a rebellion…we are going to really disrupt this election.”
Authorities arrested Lissu a week later.
In Tanzania, the charge of treason carries a possible death sentence, and individuals are not eligible for bail.
Lissu’s legal team says the charges against him were politically driven. However, state prosecutors argue that such language amounted to incitement to rebellion and was not protected political speech.
The government later barred Lissu’s party from participating in the elections. CHADEMA is Tanzania’s main opposition party. The Independent National Electoral Commission said CHADEMA failed to sign a mandatory code of conduct agreement by the set deadline. Lissu has been vocal about electoral reform. CHADEMA even previously threatened to boycott the elections unless significant reforms were made.
All these developments have cast a spotlight on President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government. President Hassan succeeded John Magufuli in 2021 and received credit for opening up Tanzania’s political and civic spaces. She created a task force on political reforms and even lifted a six-year ban on political gatherings.
However, Hassan’s government has since faced accusations of stifling political opponents. There were reports of alleged abuses, including arrests and unexplained kidnappings, ahead of local elections last year. The government denied involvement in any such incidents. President Hassan ordered an investigation into the alleged kidnappings following the abduction and murder of a senior CHADEMA member, Ally Mohamed Kibao.
President Hassan reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to democratic governance and constitutional law, saying that political disagreements should never be used as justification for violence or unlawful conduct. Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reiterated the government’s commitment to peaceful, free, and fair elections.
Away from the elections, Lissu and CHADEMA have challenges of their own. Internal rifts exist. Several senior members have resigned, citing concerns over leadership style and a shift from democratic engagement.
In early May, The East African reported that four key members of the CHADEMA secretariat left the party. According to the report, the four individuals said the party had lost focus by abandoning its goal of gaining greater representation in parliament within the existing electoral laws in favor of an uncompromising stance on reforms.
CHADEMA held a series of public rallies, especially in the country’s northern regions, to reinvigorate its support base ahead of the elections.
As the case against Lissu proceeds, it is being closely watched as a test of Tanzania’s legal and political institutions ahead of the elections.
