Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu went on trial for treason on Monday, October 6, 2025, in the nation’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, in a case that has stirred political tensions just weeks before a general election from which his party has been barred. The proceedings have drawn both domestic and international attention, with many viewing the trial as a critical test of Tanzania’s democracy and commitment to political pluralism.
Lissu, a prominent figure in Tanzania’s opposition politics and leader of the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party, was arrested in April after prosecutors accused him of delivering a speech that allegedly encouraged citizens to rebel against the government and disrupt the upcoming election scheduled for October 28. The authorities claim his remarks constituted an attempt to incite insurrection, a charge Lissu has categorically denied.
Lissu, who previously served as a Member of Parliament and has been one of the fiercest critics of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, insists that his statements were taken out of context. He maintains that he was merely calling for electoral reforms to ensure free and fair voting. His arrest came after he publicly declared that he and his party would boycott the election unless significant changes were made to the current electoral system, which he argues heavily favors the CCM and its candidate, President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
President Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli, initially gained praise for taking a more conciliatory approach to governance. She lifted some restrictions on opposition gatherings and reopened previously banned media outlets. However, recent actions by her administration — including Lissu’s prosecution and the disqualification of key opposition candidates — have raised concerns among human rights advocates and international observers who fear a rollback of democratic freedoms.
Lissu’s political career has been marked by both resilience and tragedy. In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt after being shot 16 times outside his residence in Dodoma, the country’s capital. No one has ever been charged in connection with the attack, which left him severely injured and forced him into years of exile in Belgium. His return to Tanzania in 2020 was met with widespread enthusiasm among opposition supporters who viewed him as a symbol of defiance against political oppression.
On Monday, as the treason trial commenced, CHADEMA confirmed that the court would begin hearing testimony from the first batch of state witnesses. In a statement released late Sunday, the party said their leader remained “firm, steadfast, and ready” to face the trial, which could last for several weeks.
According to Lissu’s legal team, tensions were high at the courthouse as some of his supporters were allegedly beaten and prevented from entering the courtroom. His lawyer, Jebra Kambole, told Reuters that the security forces used excessive force to disperse crowds gathered outside the court in solidarity with Lissu. “They are trying to intimidate his supporters and silence public scrutiny of this politically charged trial,” Kambole said.
The court has banned live media coverage of the proceedings at the request of state prosecutors, citing the need to protect the identities of government witnesses. Journalists were only allowed limited access, further fueling criticism from press freedom advocates who argue that transparency is essential in such a high-profile case.
Lissu has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his defense team insists the accusations are politically motivated, designed to eliminate him and CHADEMA from Tanzania’s political landscape. Analysts say the case has further polarized the country, deepening divisions between the ruling party and the opposition ahead of the national elections.
The political climate has become increasingly tense since the Tanzania Electoral Commission in April barred CHADEMA from participating in the upcoming vote, citing the party’s failure to sign a required code of conduct document. The commission also disqualified the leader of ACT-Wazalendo, Tanzania’s second-largest opposition party, effectively leaving President Hassan to face only minor party challengers. Critics have described the situation as a deliberate effort to stage a one-sided election.
President Hassan’s administration has also come under fire for a series of alleged abductions, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of government critics and opposition figures over the past year. While the president has repeatedly pledged her government’s commitment to upholding human rights and has ordered investigations into these claims, no official reports have been released to the public. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for greater accountability and urged the government to ensure due process in all politically sensitive cases.
Political observers argue that the treason trial could have far-reaching implications for Tanzania’s democratic image and its relations with international partners. Western diplomats, who had initially applauded Hassan’s leadership for promoting dialogue and moderation, are now expressing growing unease over what appears to be a tightening grip on political dissent.
As the trial continues, many Tanzanians remain anxious about the country’s political trajectory. Supporters of Lissu see him as a courageous reformer being punished for demanding transparency and fairness, while government officials insist that no one is above the law. The outcome of the case is expected to shape not only Lissu’s political future but also the credibility of the upcoming elections and Tanzania’s broader commitment to democratic governance.
