Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu found guilty of incitement

A three-judge panel at Tanzania’s High Court has convicted Tundu Lissu, leader of the main opposition party, of incitement. The decision comes after his detention since April 2024, following controversial remarks he made during a campaign for electoral reforms ahead of the 2025 general election. The court acquitted Lissu of treason, stating the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the crucial element of that charge.

Lissu, a 58-year-old lawyer and politician, maintains his innocence, calling the case politically motivated. The panel will soon announce the full legal reasoning and sentence related to the incitement conviction, which, if found guilty, could carry a maximum of five years in prison or a fine. The case unfolds amid broader controversy surrounding Tanzania’s upcoming October 2025 general election, where incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured re-election with an overwhelming 98% of the vote.

Opposition groups, including Lissu’s party, have dismissed the results as a mockery of democracy, pointing to the exclusion of key political figures like Lissu and another major challenger. The government maintains the election was conducted fairly. Lissu’s arrest occurred six months prior to the election, following his campaign for election reforms under the slogan "No Reforms, No Election."

He has faced numerous demands for electoral changes, including the independent appointment of electoral commissioners and the prevention of government interference in the electoral process. While held in custody, Lissu reportedly faced denial of legal representation and monitoring of private attorney consultations by prison guards.

The verdict has sparked concerns over the erosion of political freedoms in Tanzania, with international human rights organizations raising alarm over the ongoing judicial proceedings and treatment of political opponents.