Tanzanian Court Orders Tundu Lissu Treason Trial to Proceed

A Tanzanian court has ruled that opposition leader Tundu Lissu has a case to answer, allowing his treason trial to proceed.

The decision was delivered on Friday by a three-judge High Court bench following the prosecution's presentation of evidence and testimony from 17 witnesses against Lissu.

Lissu, the leader of the opposition Chadema party, has been in detention since April 2025 after being charged with treason over allegations that he incited the public to boycott Tanzania's elections. The offence carries a potential death sentence under Tanzanian law.

Judge Dunstan Ndunguru said the court had determined that the prosecution had established a case requiring the accused to respond.

Lissu to Present Defence

Lissu is representing himself in the proceedings and has indicated that he intends to call several senior government officials as defence witnesses.

Among those he wants summoned is President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Lissu also raised concerns over his ability to prepare his defence, telling the court that he needed to meet his lawyers and witnesses but claimed they were not being allowed to visit him in prison. He asked the judges to intervene in the matter.

The court's ruling came amid heightened security at the High Court, where supporters gathered to follow the proceedings. Foreign diplomats were also present.

Opposition Supporters React

The decision was met with disappointment among Lissu's supporters.

Chadema youth leader Benitho Mwapinga said he had not expected the court to rule that Lissu had a case to answer but maintained that the opposition would continue with the next stage of the proceedings.

Another supporter, 65-year-old Mariam John, expressed hope that justice would eventually prevail.

Lissu has faced repeated arrests throughout his political career and survived an assassination attempt in 2017. He returned to Tanzania from exile in 2023.

Political Tensions

The treason case is taking place against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in Tanzania following deadly unrest surrounding the country's November elections.

Opposition groups and rights organisations have accused security forces of killing thousands of people during the protests. The Tanzanian government has said more than 500 people were killed but has not attributed responsibility for the deaths.

Before the elections, Lissu and Chadema conducted a campaign under the slogan “No Reforms, No Elections,” demanding changes to the electoral system before the polls.

Chadema has accused President Hassan, who was declared the winner of the election with 98 percent of the vote, of returning to the repressive tactics associated with the administration of her predecessor, the late John Magufuli.

The government has rejected such accusations.

With the court now ruling that Lissu must answer the prosecution's case, the high-profile treason proceedings are set to continue, potentially adding further pressure to Tanzania's already tense political environment.