Tundu Lissu, a prominent opposition figure in Tanzania, made his first court appearance on Monday after being detained on treason-related charges. Speaking to his supporters, Lissu urged them to remain courageous.
He had previously declined to take part in a hearing on April 24, protesting the decision to conduct it virtually rather than in person. During that session, he appeared via video link from prison.
On Monday, Lissu arrived at the courtroom with his fist raised, greeted by chants of “No Reforms, No Election” from supporters. A video shared by his political party, CHADEMA, captured the moment. “We will be fine. You should not fear,” he said from the dock, flashing victory signs.
Lissu, who survived a shooting in 2017 and was the runner-up in the last presidential election, was accused last month of inciting rebellion through a speech calling for election disruption ahead of the upcoming polls in October.
His case is part of a wave of high-profile arrests that have raised concerns about the state of civil liberties under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who intends to run for another term. While the president maintains that the administration is committed to upholding human rights, critics argue otherwise.
CHADEMA has called for substantial electoral reforms, asserting that the current system is biased in favor of the ruling party. They have threatened to boycott the elections unless changes are made.
In a related development, several Kenyan human rights advocates, including well-known public figures, were reportedly blocked from entering Tanzania to attend the trial. Among them were former Justice Minister Martha Karua and ex-Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who said they were stopped upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and sent back to Nairobi.
Karua, speaking to Kenyan media, criticized the move, saying, “The state cannot be used as a personal tool. You cannot deport people simply because they disagree with you.”
Activist Hussein Khalid said on social media that he and others were being held for questioning at the airport and were expected to be deported.
Tanzanian immigration authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
