Tundu Lissu battles treason charges as high-stakes Tanzanian election nears
The Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) leader survived a 2017 assassination attempt, during which he was shot 16 times, though no one has been held accountable for the attack.
Tanzanian politics has entered a tense phase as opposition figure Tundu Lissu appeared in court on Monday, facing treason charges, with the nation just weeks away from a crucial election that his party will not participate in.
The trial is being closely watched locally and internationally as questions arise about the fairness of the upcoming vote and the treatment of political opponents.
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Lissu, who finished as runner-up in the 2020 presidential contest, was arrested in April over allegations that a public address he made encouraged citizens to rebel and disrupt the election scheduled later this month.
Prior to his detention, Lissu had warned that he would not take part in the vote unless major changes were made to the electoral system, which he claims favours the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in power since 1961.
The Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) leader survived a 2017 assassination attempt, during which he was shot 16 times, though no one has been held accountable for the attack.
He has pleaded not guilty in the treason case, with his legal team arguing that the charges are politically motivated.
CHADEMA stated that court proceedings would begin hearing of testimony from the first witnesses on Monday.
In a statement released late Sunday, the party said its leader remained “firm, steadfast, and ready” for a trial expected to last several weeks.
One of Lissu’s lawyers, Jebra Kambole, told Reuters that some supporters were beaten and prevented from entering the courtroom at the start of the trial.
At the same time, the court has prohibited live coverage, following the request of state prosecutors who said the measure was necessary to protect witness identities.
The trial and Lissu’s continued detention have intensified focus on President Samia’s human rights record, particularly amid reports of abductions of government critics over the past year.
Tanzania’s electoral commission barred CHADEMA from participating in April after the party refused to sign a code of conduct.
Separately, the leader of Tanzania’s second-largest opposition party was disqualified from running, leaving Samia facing candidates from minor parties only.
President Samia initially received praise for reducing political repression and media censorship after taking office in 2021, following the death of former President John Magufuli. However, her administration has come under criticism for alleged abductions and arrests of political opponents.
Samia has stated that her government is committed to human rights and ordered investigations into last year’s reported abductions, but no official results have been made public.
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