Tanzania's Voice for Democracy Silenced
Tundu Lissu is one of Tanzania's most courageous voices for democracy and the rule of law. His fearless advocacy, even after surviving an assassination attempt, continues to inspire millions. As his voice remains unjustly silenced, we call for his immediate release and the protection of fundamental human rights.
A patriot to be respected, a democrat to be celebrated — and a leader to be heard
Tundu Antiphas Mughwai Lissu is a Tanzanian lawyer, human rights defender, and politician who serves as the Chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo). He is not a traitor to be condemned, but a patriot to be respected and a democrat to be celebrated; not a criminal to be imprisoned, but a leader to be heard.
Born: January 20, 1968, Mahambe village, Ikungi District, Singida Region, Tanzania
Education: LLB (Hons) University of Dar es Salaam (1994); LLM with distinction, University of Warwick, UK (1996)
Profession: Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania (enrolled 2003); former President of the Tanganyika Law Society (elected 2017)
Political career: Joined CHADEMA in 2004 (Director of Legal & Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights); MP for Singida Mashariki (2010–2019), Chief Whip of the Official Opposition, Shadow Minister for Legal & Constitutional Affairs and other key portfolios
Tundu Lissu has faced relentless persecution by successive CCM administrations — through repeated arrests and malicious prosecutions meant to silence his advocacy for justice, democracy, and human rights. Despite this, he remains completely free of any criminal record and continues to stand uncompromised in the principles he holds dear.
His persecution has spanned four presidencies:
On September 7, 2017, after weeks of harassment and arrests, unidentified gunmen attacked Lissu outside his official residence in Dodoma and shot him 16 times at close range. He survived after emergency treatment in Dodoma, prolonged care in Kenya and Belgium, and 25 surgeries. The attack was never credibly investigated, and his statutory medical benefits were unlawfully withheld.
Following President Magufuli’s death and assurances of safety and political opening under President Samia, Lissu returned to Tanzania in January 2023, welcomed by thousands. After CHADEMA’s candidates were mass-disqualified in the 2024 local elections, the party launched the “No Reforms, No Election” campaign demanding electoral reform.
On April 9, 2025, he was detained after addressing a reform rally in Mbinga. He now faces treason charges — the most serious offence under Tanzanian law, punishable by death — alongside alleged cyber offences. Today, he remains imprisoned on charges widely viewed as politically motivated.
Disqualified from the presidential ballot, triggering mass protests across Tanzania.
Elected International Democracy Union (IDU) Vice Chairman representing Africa and appointed to the IDU International Executive Committee.
Detained after calling for electoral reforms at a rally in Mbinga. Charged with treason and alleged cyber offences, facing the death penalty.
Elected the 4th Chairman of CHADEMA, succeeding Freeman Aikaeli Mbowe after 21 years of leadership.
After mass disqualification of CHADEMA candidates in local elections, the party unanimously pivoted to a nationwide struggle for electoral reform.
National dialogue collapsed after CCM rejected CHADEMA’s proposals for constitutional and electoral reforms.
Returned home after five years in Belgium, following assurances of safety and political opening. Welcomed by thousands of supporters.
After years of recovery and dozens of surgeries, returned to Tanzania as CHADEMA’s presidential candidate. Post-election threats forced him back into exile.
Elected Vice Chairman in absentia while still recovering in Belgium. Earlier that year, he was stripped of his parliamentary seat while hospitalized abroad.
Shot 16 times outside his official residence in Dodoma. Survived after emergency treatment and 25 surgeries in Kenya and Belgium.
Elected President of the Tanganyika Law Society; his tenure was cut short by the assassination attempt later that year.
Won the newly created Singida Mashariki constituency seat, later re-elected in 2015. Became a leading opposition legislator and constitutional reform voice.
Joined CHADEMA as Director of Legal & Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, later serving as party Attorney General and Central Committee member.
Worked with LEAT defending land, environmental, and artisanal miners’ rights; later continued advocacy internationally while based in Washington, D.C.
A politically motivated prosecution to silence the opposition
Tundu Lissu faces fabricated treason charges that carry the death penalty. His detention is a clear attempt to silence Tanzania's democratic opposition.
These charges stem from Lissu's social media posts calling for electoral reforms and boycotting rigged elections.
"This is not security; it is deliberate humiliation of my human dignity." - Tundu Lissu
Tundu Lissu was arrested after launching a "No Reforms, No Elections" campaign calling for transparent electoral processes. In any democracy, advocating for free and fair elections is a fundamental right—not treason. The timing of his arrest, just months before the October 2025 elections, and his subsequent disqualification from the ballot, reveal these charges as a deliberate attempt to eliminate political opposition and silence one of Tanzania's most prominent democratic voices.
Global condemnation of Tundu Lissu's detention
International recognition for his courage and commitment to democracy
Awarded by the International Democracy Union for his exceptional courage and unwavering commitment to democratic values in the face of persecution and physical danger.
Recognized globally as a prominent human rights defender and advocate for the rule of law in Tanzania and East Africa.
Honored by multiple international organizations for his tireless work promoting transparent governance and free elections in Tanzania.
Stay informed about Tundu Lissu's case and Tanzania's democracy crisis
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group kept Tanzania on its formal agenda, noting the situation has worsened since its Special Envoy's visit, and endorsed a 30-day timeline for Tanzania to resolve Tundu Lissu's detention through a political and legal pathway — warning it will consider further action in November 2026 if progress isn't made.
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Lissu has asked the Court of Appeal to order the Director of Public Prosecutions to compensate him, arguing that delays in hearing the state's appeal have unnecessarily prolonged his detention on remand; the court reserved its ruling after hearing arguments from both sides on July 3.
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Lissu lodged a preliminary objection at the Court of Appeal, challenging the State's attempt to review a High Court ruling that had barred prosecutors from introducing additional evidence in his treason case, arguing the ruling isn't subject to appeal or review in the first place.
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Former Botswana president Seretse Khama Ian Khama, writing on behalf of the Platform for African Democrats, urged the Commonwealth Secretary-General to press Tanzania's leadership to release Tundu Lissu and lift restrictions on opposition members, arguing that genuine political dialogue cannot happen while he remains jailed.
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The Court of Appeal abruptly postponed Lissu's treason hearing just hours before it was due to start, pushing it back nearly a month without explanation — a delay CHADEMA leaders called part of a deliberate scheme to prolong his detention.
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The Africa Judges and Jurists Forum issued a statement urging Tanzania's judiciary to ensure Tundu Lissu's trial fully upholds fair trial standards, due process, and judicial independence, warning that delayed justice risks eroding public trust in the country's courts.
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The state halted proceedings in the High Court on February 24, 2026, submitting a revision request to the Court of Appeal after a dramatic series of courtroom developments, leaving Lissu's case in limbo pending a hearing date.
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Following an application by Amsterdam & Partners LLP, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued Opinion No. 74/2025, finding Tundu Lissu's detention arbitrary and calling on Tanzania to release him immediately with compensation. Tanzania has not complied.
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The European Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, explicitly naming Lissu's continued imprisonment as a central concern.
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UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Tuesday urged investigations into the killings and other violations committed in the context of the 29 October elections in Tanzania, as reports emerged that bodies may have been taken by security forces to undisclosed locations.
Read More →Watch interviews, speeches, and coverage of Tundu Lissu's case
European Parliament condemns Tanzania's post-election killings and human rights abuses, including Tundu Lissu's detention.
Posted: November 2025
Tundu Lissu receiving the IDU Award for Freedom in2020.
Posted: November 2025
The Elliott School of International Affairs' Institute for African Studies welcomed Tanzanian opposition leader and chief whip Tundu Lissu for a conversation with students, faculty, and the community.
Posted: November 2025
International news coverage of Tundu Lissu's treason trial and the fight for democracy in Tanzania
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When a voice like Tundu Lissu's is suppressed, it is an attack on the freedom of us all. We cannot remain silent.
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