Tanzania's main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, has been found guilty of incitement in a case that has raised concerns about political freedoms in the East African country. The 58-year-old, who has been detained since April last year, was convicted over remarks he made while campaigning for electoral reforms ahead of the disputed 2025 general election. A panel of three judges at the High Court in Dar es Salaam acquitted him of the more serious charge of treason.
Lissu, who leads the opposition Chadema party, has consistently denied the charges, describing the prosecution as politically motivated. Treason is among Tanzania's most serious offences and can carry the death penalty. He has leave to appeal at the Court of Appeal - the country's highest court.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the October 2025 election with 98% of the vote - a result the opposition dismissed the result as a "mockery" of democracy as her two main challengers, including Lissu, were excluded. Her government has repeatedly denied targeting its opponents. Tundu Lissu - the great survivor of Tanzanian politics Demands for post-poll justice as Tanzania accused of weaponising counterterrorism laws The Chadema leader was arrested six months before the poll, shortly after launching a campaign demanding changes to the electoral system under the slogan "No Reforms, No Election".
Prosecutors accused him of making statements intended to incite the public to disrupt the election and threaten the government. They argued that his remarks, which were also circulated online, amounted to treason. But Lissu, a lawyer who represented himself during the trial, maintained that his comments were part of a legitimate political campaign for constitutional and electoral reform.
He argued that prosecutors had taken his statements out of context and failed to prove that he had committed any crime. Some of the demands raised by Chadema were: Electoral commissioners should be independently appointed (not by the president) Police should allow all parties to campaign free of intimidation Government-appointed district chiefs should no longer act as returning officers Party agents should be able to observe counting without harassment It should be possible to challenge presidential election results in court. During his time in remand custody at Dar es Salaam's Ukonga Prison, Lissu went on hunger strike twice for brief periods when he said he was not allowed access to his lawyers or relatives.
He also complained that guards listened to what should have been private consultations his lawyers. These allegations have been denied by the prison authorities. His case has attracted international attention, with rights groups expressing concern about the treatment of opposition politicians and the shrinking space for political dissent in Tanzania.
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