2025-04-10T17:05:18.000Z

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Tundu Lissu, the prominent opposition leader in Tanzania, has been formally charged with treason just one day after his arrest during a rally advocating for electoral reforms in the southern part of the country. This development has ignited significant political tension in a nation that is gearing up for elections scheduled for October 2023.

The charges against Lissu stem from his vigorous campaign for electoral reform, encapsulated in his slogan, "No Reforms, No Election." His campaign aims to address the deeply entrenched issues in Tanzania's electoral system, which many critics argue are obstacles to free and fair elections.

As the country inches closer to the polls, Lissu is expected to challenge the current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who ascended to power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Initially, President Samia was lauded for taking steps to dismantle some of the more authoritarian practices of Magufulis administration. However, her government has faced growing scrutiny as several opposition members have been subjected to arrests and questionable detentions since she took office.

In his public addresses, Lissu has consistently asserted that without substantial reforms, the possibility of conducting a free and fair election in just six months is virtually non-existent. He is particularly focused on altering the structure of the electoral commission, arguing that it should not be composed entirely of individuals appointed directly by the President. The current system, he claims, lacks impartiality and undermines the democratic process.

The Tanzanian authorities have denounced Lissu's campaign, labeling it as an attempt to incite the public against the general election. Lissu himself has a complicated history with the government; he has faced multiple arrests and even survived a life-threatening assassination attempt in 2017 during Magufuli's presidency, where he was shot 16 times. Following that incident, he went into exile but returned briefly in 2020 to contest the elections, only to leave again after alleging widespread electoral fraud.

His return to Tanzania earlier this year was facilitated by some reforms introduced by Samia, which were intended to create a more favorable environment for opposition parties. However, the recent police actions against Lissu and his supporters suggest that the struggle for political freedom in Tanzania is far from over. On the day of Lissu's arrest, police deployed tear gas to disperse Chadema party supporters who gathered to express solidarity with their leader. Additionally, they blocked party officials from holding a press conference to discuss the implications of Lissu's detention.

Many loyalists expressed their determination to continue advocating for electoral reforms. A supporter remarked, "We are surprised that the police are harassing us when our rallies are peaceful. We know the ruling party, CCM, is behind all this. We will fight for changes before elections." This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among the populace regarding the current political climate.

Human rights organizations have condemned the government's use of excessive force and accused it of leveraging state institutions to suppress dissent and silence critics. A lawyers' association has characterized Lissu's arrest and the harassment of his supporters as a gross abuse of power, emphasizing a worrying lack of political tolerance within the government.

Lissu's treason case has been adjourned until 24 April, leaving many observers and supporters anxious about the future of political discourse in Tanzania. As the nation heads toward the elections, the eyes of the world will remain fixed on the unfolding events, hoping for a resolution that honors democratic principles and the voices of all Tanzanians.

For more updates on this evolving situation, stay tuned to BBCAfrica.com, and follow us on social media platforms like Twitter @BBCAfrica, Facebook at BBC Africa, or Instagram at bbcafrica.