Lissu names regional, international bodies opposing treason case

Dar es Salaam. Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu on Monday, August 24, 2026, named regional, international and national organisations that he said had opposed his prosecution on treason charges, describing the case as politically motivated.

Mr Lissu, who is defending himself before the High Court’s Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, gave the names as he continued presenting his defence in the case, which is being heard by a three-judge panel led by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru, assisted by Justices James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde.

The Chadema leader, who is also a lawyer, faces a treason charge under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, Revised Edition 2023.

The prosecution alleges that on April 3, 2025, a Tanzanian citizen, Mr Lissu, with intent to incite, encouraged the public to prevent the holding of the 2025 General Election through statements and written messages aimed at pressuring Tanzania’s top government leader.

Among the statements cited by the prosecution, Mr Lissu allegedly said: “If they say this position amounts to rebellion, it is true, because we are saying we will prevent the election, we will encourage rebellion... this election we will disrupt it completely.”

Mr Lissu began his defence on Friday, August 21, 2026, after the court ruled that he had a case to answer.

He first outlined his professional and political background, including his work as a lawyer and his political responsibilities.

He also referred to honorary awards he has received from international organisations in recognition of his contribution to democracy and good governance, as well as statements by various regional and international organisations opposing his prosecution.

Mr Lissu said the recognition and support demonstrated that he was a person of integrity and standing, rather than someone lacking credibility.

Organisations cited

Continuing his defence on Monday, August 24, 2026, Mr Lissu maintained that the case was political despite its treason prosecution.

He told the three judges that several legal and political organisations in Tanzania, Africa and beyond had challenged his prosecution, arguing that the case was politically motivated.

He cited the East Africa Law Society, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Lawyers Association, the Pan African Lawyers Union, the Law Association of Zambia, the Law Society of Kenya and the Tanganyika Law Society.

Other organisations he named included the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Amnesty International’s Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Uganda Law Society.

Mr Lissu also mentioned the Democrats Union of Africa (DUA), which brings together African political parties with political orientations similar to Chadema, and the Platform of Democratic Parties, a forum bringing together democratic political parties from 17 African countries.

African commission resolution

Mr Lissu also referred to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, saying it had discussed his case during an emergency session on July 30, 2025.

“Your Lordships, specifically on July 30, 2025, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, whose headquarters are in Arusha, Tanzania, held an emergency session to discuss these charges,” Mr Lissu told the court.

He said the commission subsequently adopted a resolution titled Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the United Republic of Tanzania, which expressed concern over his arrest and prosecution.

According to Mr Lissu, the commission also stated that the Tanzanian government had an obligation to comply with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Mr Lissu’s defence is continuing before the High Court as the court considers his evidence and legal arguments surrounding the treason charge.