By Adonis Byemelwa
Tundu Lissu’s recent arrest on April 9, 2025, in Tanzania’s Ruvuma region, where he was charged with treason for allegedly inciting rebellion and calling for election disruption during a public rally, mirrors a troubling pattern across Africa where opposition leaders face severe legal challenges that many perceive as politically motivated.
This scenario resonates with the experiences of figures like Uganda’s Kizza Besigye, who, after disappearing in Kenya in November 2024, was charged with treachery upon resurfacing in Uganda, and Bobi Wine, who has faced multiple arrests and alleged assaults during his political journey.
Similarly, Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko was charged with fomenting insurrection in July 2023, leading to his detention and the dissolution of his political party. These incidents highlight the precarious position of opposition leaders in various African nations, where advocating for democratic reforms often results in significant personal and political risks
According to Chadema spokesperson Brenda Rupia, Lissu was transferred from Ruvuma to Dar es Salaam, where he was brought before the Kisutu Court and formally charged with treason.
The arrest occurred amidst Lissu’s ongoing advocacy for the party’s
“No Reforms, No Election” agenda, which demands substantial changes to the electoral system to ensure free and fair elections.
Police have claimed that Lissu was detained following allegations of inciting violence and obstructing the electoral process. Senior Police Commissioner Marco Chilya from Ruvuma stated, “The police have arrested the Chadema chairman following investigations into claims of incitement aimed at disrupting the general elections.”
In response to Lissu’s detention, Chadema’s Legal and Human Rights Director, Gaston Garubindi, has urged lawyers to come forward and assist in Lissu’s defense. He emphasized the gravity of the charges, noting that Lissu faces charges without the possibility of bail.
“We are calling on all lawyers to step forward and assist us in the legal logistics for defending our chairman,” Garubindi said, urging legal experts to rally behind Lissu in his fight against what many view as politically motivated charges.
The arrest of Lissu marks a troubling escalation in the repression of opposition voices in Tanzania, raising further concerns about the fairness of the upcoming elections.
Chadema’s leadership has condemned the arrest as part of a broader attempt to stifle dissent, while critics argue that the move reflects a return to tactics reminiscent of the authoritarian regime under former President John Magufuli.
Lissu, a fierce critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, was detained alongside several senior members of his party, Chadema. Reports indicate that police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd at the rally, where Lissu’s party was continuing its
“No Reforms, No Election” campaign. This movement demands significant reforms to Tanzania’s electoral system before the election takes place.
Brenda Rupia, Chadema’s director of communications, condemned the arrest as an effort to silence the opposition. “The arrest of our deputy chairman is a clear attempt to stifle dissent ahead of the elections,” she stated. “We are being harassed and brutally treated simply for exercising our constitutional rights.”
This latest action against Lissu is part of a broader trend of increasing intimidation aimed at opposition figures. Lissu, a lawyer who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, has been touring the country advocating for free and fair elections.
Just months ago, a senior Chadema member, Aisha Machano, was abducted and injured while on official duties. Another regional leader, Ali Kibao, was abducted and later found dead.
Human rights organizations and foreign observers have voiced growing concerns over the current political climate in Tanzania. Many argue that the initial optimism that surrounded President Samia’s leadership in her first term is rapidly fading.
She had promised to restore political freedoms and reconciliation after the harsh, authoritarian rule of her predecessor, President John Magufuli. However, the recent wave of arrests, abductions, and growing surveillance of political activists suggests a return to the kind of repressive tactics that characterized Magufuli’s presidency.
Lissu’s arrest is significant because it underlines the shrinking space for political opposition ahead of the crucial elections. His party’s demands for electoral reforms are not new, and they echo the voices of many Tanzanians who fear that the elections will be neither free nor fair without such changes.
Critics argue that without reform, the process will lack legitimacy, further eroding democracy in the country. “Democracy is under siege,” said Rupia, highlighting the stakes for Tanzania’s future. “The people of Tanzania deserve better than this.”
Lissu’s arrest has sparked widespread condemnation, with the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) calling for his immediate release. The LHRC argues that his detention infringes on his constitutional rights, citing Article 20 of Tanzania’s 1977 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and assembly.
Additionally, the LHRC points to Article 11 of the Political Parties Act, 258 R.E 2019, which protects public rallies and demonstrations.
LHRC’s executive director emphasized that the actions against Lissu contravene these legal provisions, highlighting the violation of fundamental rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.
In an unusual twist, Dr. Benson Bagonza, the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania’s Karagwe Diocese, also weighed in, adding that the country must embrace resilience in these testing times.
Bagonza, known for his forthright remarks, cautioned against political instability and the overuse of the term “treason” in a way that could undermine its meaning. He pointed out that in a climate where political dissent is silenced with accusations of betrayal, the line between true traitors and legitimate political opposition becomes dangerously blurred.
He reflected on the harsh reality in which politicians and citizens alike face suppression for challenging the government. “Without resilience, we will falter,” he warned, echoing sentiments of perseverance even when the system seems to be turning against those who speak out.
Professor Joseph Mbele, a literature lecturer at Olaf University in the US, took to his Facebook account today to express his strong condemnation of Tundu Lissu’s arrest. Mbele, who has long been an outspoken advocate for political freedoms and democratic principles, noted with deep concern the growing climate of political repression in Tanzania. Reflecting on the situation, he shared how the arrest, which took place at Lissu’s home in Mbinga, has marred the reputation he has worked hard to build abroad.
In his post, Professor Mbele wrote, “What is happening to Tundu Lissu in Tanzania is not just an arrest; it is an assault on the very ideals of freedom and democracy that I’ve always championed. The arrest of a man who has fought for fair elections and human rights casts a shadow over the reputation of our nation and sullies the principles we once hoped to uphold.”
His words serve as a powerful reminder of the international perspective on Tanzania’s political climate. For many like Mbele, who have voiced their support for Tanzania’s democratic aspirations from outside the country, these recent actions threaten to undo the positive image that the nation once projected globally.
The arrest of Lissu, following his campaign for electoral reforms, highlights a stark contrast between the ideals Tanzania’s leaders once promised and the reality of the political environment today. Lissu’s own experiences—his near-fatal attack in 2017, his relentless fight for free and fair elections, and now his detention—paint a vivid picture of the price opposition leaders pay for challenging the status quo. His struggle is not just political; it is deeply personal, one that intertwines with the very fabric of Tanzanian democracy itself.
The arrest of Tundu Lissu, as well as the broader crackdown on opposition voices in Tanzania, points to a worrisome trend that undermines the country’s democratic institutions. As the election approaches, the pressure on President Samia’s government to restore confidence in the electoral process and protect political freedoms is mounting. But whether this will happen or whether more activists will be silenced remains to be seen.
