Tanzania Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu Charged With Treason Ahead of Elections

Lissu’s arrest and charges are seen as part of a broader government crackdown on dissent as the October 2025 elections approach.

Tundu Lissu, leader of Tanzania's main opposition party CHADEMA, was arrested on April 9, 2025, and charged with treason the following day.
The charges stem from Lissu's calls for electoral reform and allegations of government interference in the electoral process, including claims of police involvement in election rigging.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the arrest, calling it politically motivated and part of a larger campaign to suppress opposition voices.
Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and has faced multiple arrests, is currently in custody awaiting arraignment on April 24, 2025.
The government has faced criticism for escalating repression, including forced disappearances and killings of opposition figures, raising concerns about the state of democracy in Tanzania.