On 6 November 2026, Tundu Lissu, Chairperson of the main political party in Tanzania (CHADEMA), was acquitted of treason by the High Court, but convicted of a new offense of incitement. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its Tanzanian member organisation, the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC) welcome this acquittal but raise further concerns about his trial and conviction.
Paris, Dar es Salam, 9 November 2026. Following his public call for reforms during the 2025 Tanzanian presidential election campaign, Tundu Lissu, Chair of CHADEMA and a human rights lawyer, was charged with treason, an offence punishable by death. Arrested in April 2025, he had been in custody until then, and his trial has been adjourned several times.
Four days ago, the Tanzanian High Court acquitted him of the charge of treason but concurrently raised a new offense of inciting violence in the 2025 General Election and convicted him to a four year prison sentence. He did not also get the opportunity to call witnesses or defend his case during his new trial. Tundu Lissu has appealed against this decision.
"This acquittal for treason is a relief, but there remain numerous irregularities marring this trial, which amounts to nothing short of political persecution against a backdrop of repression and shrinking of democratic space in the country" said Anna Henga, Director of LHRC and Vice President of FIDH.
Since the 2025 General Election, Tanzania has experienced an increasingly concerning climate of repression against dissenting voices and political opposition. Post-election violence has reportedly involved extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests attributed to security and defence forces.
Although two Commissions of Inquiry have been established to investigate the post-election violence, concerns have been raised about their independence, credibility and ability to ensure accountability. To date, meaningful measures to guarantee accountability, justice and effective remedies for victims remain a pressing concern.
These developments also reflect a wider regional challenge in East Africa, where cross-border intimidation and transnational repression against human rights defenders, activists and other critical voices are becoming increasingly concerning.
FIDH and LHRC call upon the Tanzanian authorities to:
– Ensure that all judicial proceedings comply with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards on the right to a fair trial and due process;
– Respect Tundu Lissu’s right to appeal and ensure that the appeal process is conducted independently, fairly and without undue delay;
– Ensure that any application for bail pending appeal is considered fairly and in accordance with the law;
– Guarantee the protection of human rights defenders, political actors, journalists and other individuals exercising their fundamental freedoms;
– Ensure independent, credible and transparent investigations into post-election human rights violations, with accountability for perpetrators and effective remedies for victims;
The protection of human rights, judicial independence and democratic freedoms must remain central to Tanzania’s commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and its international human rights obligations.
