Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason following his arrest after a rally in the southern part of the country. The Chadema party leader’s arrest comes amid his nationwide campaign calling for sweeping electoral reforms ahead of the October general elections, under the slogan “No Reforms, No Election.”
Lissu, a prominent critic of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, has accused the government of orchestrating an unfair electoral process. He has particularly called for a restructured electoral commission, arguing that its current composition made up of presidential appointees—compromises its independence and credibility. In several public statements, Lissu warned that free and fair elections would be impossible without urgent reforms.
The authorities have described his campaign as incitement, claiming it aims to undermine the upcoming election. Lissu, who is expected to challenge President Samia Suluhu Hassan in October, has faced numerous arrests in the past. In 2017, during the late President John Magufuli’s administration, he survived an assassination attempt where he was shot 16 times. After years in exile, he returned to Tanzania in 2023 following President Samia’s move to allow greater political freedoms.
However, Samia’s administration has increasingly come under fire for what rights groups call a rollback on those initial democratic gains. Critics accuse her government of using state institutions to silence dissent, including arbitrary arrests and the suppression of opposition rallies.
On Thursday, police used tear gas to disperse Chadema supporters who had gathered for a press conference on Lissu’s arrest. Despite the crackdown, supporters remain defiant, pledging to continue pushing for electoral reforms.
“We know the ruling party, CCM, is behind all this. We will fight for changes before elections,” one Chadema supporter told the BBC.
Rights groups and legal associations have condemned Lissu’s arrest as politically motivated and a violation of civil liberties. His case has been adjourned until April 24.
The developments signal growing political tensions in Tanzania as the country inches closer to the high-stakes October election.
