Tundu Lissu calls Tanzania treason trial political

Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu opened his defence Friday in his treason trial, calling it a “political case” after a court ruled that prosecutors had established a case for him to answer.

Lissu, 58, the head of the opposition Chadema party, was detained in April 2025 and charged with treason, which carries a potential death penalty. The charge stems from allegations that he incited the public to boycott last year's elections.

“I believe the fight for constitutional and electoral reforms has created conflict with those in power,” Lissu told the court.

Earlier Friday, a three-judge bench ruled that the case should continue after prosecutors presented evidence and 17 witnesses testified against him.

Lissu, who is representing himself, said he wanted to call senior government officials as defence witnesses, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and asked the court to summon them. He also told the court he needed to meet lawyers and witnesses but said they were not allowed to visit him in prison.

Security was heightened at the High Court, where Lissu's supporters filled the courtroom and foreign diplomats attended. The case was postponed to August 24, when Lissu is due to continue his defence.

Chadema organised a “No Reforms, No Elections” campaign before the November polls, which led to Lissu's arrest. Lissu said his reputation locally and internationally came from his stance on democracy and the rule of law.

Tanzania has faced international criticism over the repression of protests around the November 2025 elections. The opposition and rights groups say thousands were killed by security forces. The government says more than 500 people were killed during the unrest, without saying who was responsible.

Chadema accuses Hassan, who won the last election with 98% of the vote, of returning to the repressive tactics of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Lissu has faced multiple arrests over the years and survived an assassination attempt in 2017.