Tundu Lissu faces treason charges over call for electoral reforms

In Tanzania, opposition leader Tundu Lissu was arrested and charged with treason following a public rally where he demanded electoral reforms ahead of upcoming general elections. The event took place on April 10, 2025, in Mbinga, more than 1,000 kilometers from the capital, Dar es Salaam. This rally was part of a nationwide campaign entitled "No Reforms, No Election," aimed at pressuring the government to change the electoral system which the opposition claims favors the ruling party. Lissu and his supporters assert that without reforms, there can be no free and fair elections. Tundu Lissu, the chairperson of the main opposition party CHADEMA, has been vocal in pushing for changes to the electoral commission, arguing that it must not consist of individuals directly appointed by the ruling party. His arrest has raised concerns among human rights activists and opposition members who claim that the actions of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government represent a crackdown on political dissent and an abuse of power. Human rights advocates have accused the government of employing heavy-handed tactics against dissenters, particularly since Lissu's return to Tanzania in 2023 after a period of exile following his previous political engagements and an assassination attempt in 2017. The situation escalated further when police used tear gas to disperse Lissu's supporters as they attempted to address the media following his arrest. The treason charge is a serious allegation that suggests the government views Lissu's calls for reform as incitement against state authority. International observers and local activists have expressed alarm over the treatment of opposition figures in Tanzania, particularly in the context of the upcoming general elections scheduled for October 2025. As the political climate remains tense, the upcoming legal proceedings against Lissu are likely to draw significant attention both domestically and internationally, reflecting broader issues of political freedom and human rights within Tanzania. The treason case against Lissu has been adjourned until April 24, 2025, which means that the protests and demands for electoral reform will likely continue in the lead-up to this date, putting pressure on the government to address the opposition's concerns. Lissu's supporters, undeterred by the police response, have maintained their commitment to pushing for electoral reforms, which they believe are essential for the preservation of democracy in Tanzania.