Tanzania’s Tundu Lissu Takes Action Against Millicom Over Alleged Pre-Attempt Surveillance

By Adonis Byemelwa

Former Singida East MP Tundu Lissu has intensified his quest for justice against Millicom, alleging that the company leaked his phone data to Tanzanian authorities before a 2017 assassination attempt. This unfolding saga raises critical questions about corporate complicity, governmental accountability, and the fundamental right to privacy, setting a precedent for how such violations are addressed in Tanzania.

Lissu, now the Deputy Chairperson of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) Mainland, has called on his legal team to initiate proceedings to uncover the identities of those responsible for the attack on his life, stating, “We need to know the entire truth—who sent them, their ranks, and their names.”

Addressing the press on September 25, 2024, at Chadema’s headquarters in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Lissu expressed frustration at the lack of accountability following the violent incident that left him seriously injured.

The allegations come on the heels of a report published by The Guardian in London, which revealed details from court documents presented by Michael Clifford, a former Millicom investigator who was dismissed after raising concerns about the company’s actions.

The details surrounding Lissu’s attack are chilling. On the afternoon of September 7, 2017, he was shot multiple times outside his home in Dodoma after returning from a parliamentary meeting. Following the attack, he was rushed to Dodoma Referral Hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to Nairobi, Kenya, for more comprehensive medical care. His journey for justice has since been marred by unanswered questions and allegations of complicity involving major telecommunications entities.

Lissu's renewed push for transparency comes as Clifford's revelations claim that Millicom provided the Tanzanian government with real-time data on Lissu’s phone and whereabouts in the weeks leading up to the attack.

According to Clifford, who later took Millicom to court, the company acted unlawfully by sharing sensitive information without a proper legal request. “Five days after Lissu was attacked, I began my investigation after overhearing a call that indicated Millicom was sharing his mobile data with the Tanzanian authorities,” he stated in his court submissions.

Despite efforts to reach out to both the Tanzanian government and Tigo Tanzania for comments on the allegations, the responses have been elusive. Millicom, which operates in both South America and Africa, has vehemently denied Clifford's claims, asserting that his dismissal was due to operational downsizing and not because of any misconduct related to the surveillance of Lissu.

The investigation into Lissu's shooting has remained open, but frustration is palpable as police have yet to apprehend anyone linked to the attack. Lissu’s plea for information intensified as he highlighted the critical role that his assault has had on his family, stating, “This incident has not only scarred me but also deeply affected my family. My wife and children long to return home, but the trauma from what they witnessed in Nairobi is unbearable.”

The shadows of doubt loom larger as Lissu questioned the effectiveness of security measures in his residential area, which is known for hosting high-profile officials, including the current Speaker of the National Assembly. “On the day of my attack, security was noticeably absent, and questions arise as to where they were during such a critical moment. There are CCTV cameras in the area; why were they not utilized to capture the assailants?” he queried, pressing for answers that have remained elusive for years.

Now armed with new evidence from Clifford’s ongoing case in the UK, Lissu feels emboldened to pursue legal action against Millicom and the Tanzanian government. “We have a starting point. When we take this matter to court, we will demand that they present Clifford’s findings. What we have now is substantial enough to file a case,” he proclaimed. Lissu has engaged international attorney Bob Amsterdam and a team of lawyers to gather evidence and prepare for potential lawsuits in international courts.

“Through this case, we aim not only to seek justice but also to unravel the web of complicity that allowed this attack to occur. We demand transparency regarding who ordered my surveillance, the names and ranks of the individuals involved, and whether Millicom was financially compensated for their actions,” he emphasized.

The implications of Lissu’s case are vast, raising questions about corporate responsibility, governmental oversight, and the fundamental right to privacy. As Lissu gears up for legal action, he remains resolute: “The truth will come to light, and we will expose those who think they can act with impunity.”

Millicom’s transition in Tanzania, culminating in the sale of its operations to Axian Telecom in April 2022, has not diminished the pressure on the company to respond to these serious allegations. Axian, in acquiring Tigo, inherited a complex legacy, and it remains to be seen how this situation will impact the newly restructured telecommunications landscape in Tanzania.

As the legal proceedings unfold in the UK and Lissu’s calls for justice grow louder, the story highlights not just a personal battle but a broader struggle for accountability in a political landscape fraught with uncertainty and unanswered questions. For Lissu, the pursuit of truth is a necessity not just for his healing but for the sake of justice in Tanzania.

In a world where technology intersects with governance, the stakes have never been higher. Lissu’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice signals a pivotal moment for accountability in Tanzania, challenging corporations and government entities alike to uphold ethical standards in their operations. The path forward may be fraught with challenges, but for Lissu and his supporters, the quest for justice is a mission that cannot be compromised.