Tanzania Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu Faces Treason Trial Ahead Election

Tundu Lissu, a leading Tanzanian opposition figure and presidential runner-up in 2020, is on trial for treason ahead of the October 28 general elections, from which his party, CHADEMA, has been banned. He is accused of inciting public rebellion through a speech criticizing the electoral process, which he contends is biased towards President Samia Suluhu Hassan's ruling CCM party. The trial has been marked by a ban on live media coverage to protect witness identities, and Lissu's legal team insists the charges are politically motivated. His case highlights broader concerns about political repression, including alleged abductions of government critics and a history of political violence, such as the unresolved 2017 assassination attempt on Lissu. Despite President Hassan's initial easing of political restrictions since taking office in 2021, her administration now faces mounting criticism over human rights abuses and the suppression of opposition ahead of the elections. These developments underscore the tense and controversial nature of Tanzania's political landscape as the nation approaches the vote.