Who is leading Chadema now?

The injunction stems from a civil suit filed by former Chadema Vice Chairman (Zanzibar) Said Issa Mohamed, along with Ahmed Rashid Khamis and Maulida Anna Komu, and is tied to a pending main case, Civil Case No. 8323/2025.

Addressing the media in July in Dar es Salaam, Advocates Gizo Simfukwe and Shabaan Marijani, who represent the petitioners, said the clarification was necessary due to ongoing misinformation about who was affected by the court’s original order.

Some party officials and supporters had publicly distanced themselves from the injunction, claiming it did not apply to them.

“Due to this misinformation, we wrote to the Registrar of the High Court seeking official clarification,” said Mr Simfukwe.

The response received confirmed that the injunction applies not only to the party’s Board of Trustees and secretary-general but also to chairperson, Tundu Lissu, vice chairpersons from both Mainland and Zanzibar, acting secretary-general, deputy secretary-generals for Mainland and Zanzibar, as well as all leaders at every level within the party, whether permanent or acting.

Mr Simfukwe further clarified that the order also binds all Chadema employees, agents, or individuals representing the party in any political activity across both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Additionally, the injunction prohibits those affected from speaking to the media on any party matters.

He warned that ignoring the order constitutes contempt of court, a criminal offence which may also carry civil penalties.

“When the court issues a binding order, no one has the liberty to ignore it or claim they are not affected. Doing so amounts to breaking the law,” he said.

Mr Marijani echoed the same, emphasising that the legal implications are serious and meant to preserve judicial integrity until the case is heard and determined.

This legal deadlock comes at a time when Chadema’s Chairperson, Tundu Lissu, is already embroiled in a serious criminal case.

On April 9, 2025, Lissu was arrested in Mbinga, Ruvuma Region and the following day, he appeared day at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court where he was formally charged with the unbailable treason and publication of false information under the Cybercrimes Act.

With the court now restraining all top officials from acting on behalf of the party and with Lissu facing treason charges, the question of who is currently steering Chadema has become increasingly complex.

A political analyst at the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Onesmo Kyauke, told The Citizen that the party is in an operational void.

“The injunction has effectively frozen all political functions within Chadema. With its Chairperson under criminal charges and other senior leaders legally restrained, it is unclear who, if anyone, can claim to be leading the party at this moment,” he said.

For his part, a political scientist from the University of Dodoma, Dr Paul Loisulie, noted that the crisis reflects long-standing internal power struggles that have now escalated into legal warfare.

“Chadema is experiencing a full-blown constitutional crisis. While internal party disagreements are not unusual, it is rare for a court order to halt an entire leadership structure. The legal process will likely take time, and until then, there is no clear path forward,” he said.

According to Professor Makame Ali Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar, the injunction affects Chadema’s ability to operate as a political party.

“With the leadership restrained by court order, the party cannot conduct its usual political activities or engage with the public as it would under normal circumstances,” he said.