Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason on Thursday, just a day after his arrest at a political rally where he had been urging reforms to the country’s electoral system ahead of the general elections scheduled for October.
Lissu, who chairs the nation’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, was taken into custody Wednesday night by regional police who accused him of incitement, AP reported. His arrest has intensified political tensions in a country where opposition leaders continue to demand sweeping electoral changes to guarantee transparency and fairness in the upcoming polls.
Despite the looming charges, Lissu appeared at the Kisutu Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam on Thursday afternoon looking composed and confident. Accompanied by a legal team and fellow party officials, he was seen smiling as he entered the courthouse in Tanzania’s commercial capital.
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The dramatic arrest took place in Mbinga, a southern town located more than 1,000 kilometers (about 600 miles) from Dar es Salaam, shortly after Lissu concluded a public address. Video footage and eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene in which Lissu was forcibly ushered into a police vehicle as tensions between law enforcement and his supporters escalated.
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“I came here, we held a peaceful meeting, and now I understand the tactics of the police,” Lissu said in defiance, moments before tear gas was fired to disperse the crowd. “We are now clear on the situation; I will not enter the vehicle. There is no need for that. We will sleep here. What is the problem?”
Lissu’s arrest has reignited concerns among human rights observers, who have repeatedly accused the Tanzanian government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan of using repressive tactics to stifle political dissent. Authorities have consistently rejected such accusations, insisting that their actions are guided by law and public safety considerations.
A prominent figure in Tanzanian politics, Lissu is no stranger to government scrutiny or political violence. In 2017, three years before the last election, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt after being shot 16 times in what remains one of the most harrowing attacks on an opposition leader in the country’s recent history.
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As the October general elections approach, the stakes are rising. Voters are expected to choose both the next president and members of parliament. CHADEMA has repeatedly criticized the current electoral landscape, citing the lack of an independent electoral commission and the dominance of the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has held power unbroken since Tanzania gained independence in 1961.
Opposition leaders argue that the playing field remains tilted, with legal structures and electoral processes favoring CCM while obstructing fair competition.
Lissu’s latest charges and the circumstances surrounding his arrest have further strained relations between the government and the opposition. While the administration has called for calm, CHADEMA officials insist they will continue their campaign for reform, vowing not to be silenced by intimidation or legal threats.
The next few months promise to be pivotal for Tanzania’s political future, with both domestic and international observers watching closely to see whether the country can hold free, credible elections—or whether mounting unrest signals a deeper democratic crisis in the making.
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