Amnesty International has urged the immediate release of Tundu Lissu, the opposition party chairman in Tanzania, amidst concerns over his arrest and subsequent detention, labeling the arrest as arbitrary. The organization released a report on Friday highlighting these concerns and calling for Tanzania to safeguard fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Lissu, who serves as a leading figure in Tanzania’s opposition party, CHADEMA, was apprehended on April 9 during a political rally in Mbinga town. The circumstances of his arrest have raised significant alarm, given that police deployed tear gas and fired live ammunition to disperse attendees. The rally took place against a backdrop of heightened political tension, exacerbated by Lissu’s social media posts alleging electoral tampering, which have since been removed. He was charged with treason the following day but was prevented from entering a plea and remains in custody.
Critics, including Lissu’s lawyer Rugemeleza Nshala, argue that the charges are politically motivated. He contends that Lissu’s actions were aligned with his campaign to inform CHADEMA supporters, yet they have been construed as criminal charges. This politically charged atmosphere has historical precedents for Lissu, who was shot multiple times in 2017 in a previous attempt to silence his dissent against the ruling party, CCM.
The tension is compounded by CHADEMA’s contentious decision to boycott the upcoming October 2025 elections unless there is a reform of the electoral system. Lissu has been vocal about his goal to restore democracy in Tanzania, suggesting that fundamental changes to the political system are imperative.
While initial hopes were pinned on President Samia Saluhu Hassan’s leadership—particularly following her revocation of a ban on political rallies—the return to democratic norms has been questioned. Allegations persist of the ruling party, CCM, employing heavy-handed tactics to suppress opposition, including arrests, abductions, and even sanctioned killings of party members, as reported by various sources.
The international community is closely watching the developments in Tanzania, as human rights organizations continue to spotlight the risks faced by opposition members in the country. As events unfold, the call for Lissu’s release remains a pronounced demand from global human rights advocates.
For further insights on the situation, access the full report from JURIST.