Tundu Lissu Faces Treason Charges as Tanzania’s Opposition Party Disqualified
Image source: Vanguard News
Tanzania’s primary opposition party, CHADEMA, has been barred from participating in the upcoming elections, a decision confirmed by a top election official on Saturday. Ramadhani Kailima, Director of the Independent National Elections Commission, explained that the party missed the deadline to sign a required code of conduct, which led to its disqualification from both the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for October.
“Any party that does not sign the code of conduct will be barred from participating in the general election,” Kailima declared, adding that the exclusion will also apply to all by-elections until 2030.
This development follows the recent treason charges filed against CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu, who is accused of attempting to disrupt the election process. Meanwhile, the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has maintained that the government respects human rights and dismissed any allegations of violations. CHADEMA has not yet issued a response to the election commission’s decision. However, the party had previously announced its intention to boycott the signing of the election code of conduct, while continuing to demand electoral reforms.
Lissu has been charged with treason, with prosecutors alleging that he incited rebellion in an effort to prevent the elections. He was not allowed to enter a plea and faces a potential death sentence. CHADEMA had warned that it might boycott the election unless meaningful changes were made to what it perceives as an electoral system biased in favor of the ruling party.
The charges followed Lissu’s participation in a public rally where he advocated for electoral reforms ahead of the general elections. He was arrested on Wednesday night, with regional police citing incitement as the reason. The opposition has consistently called for changes to ensure a fair and transparent voting process. On Thursday, Lissu appeared at the Kisutu Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, accompanied by his legal team and fellow opposition leaders, showing optimism despite the circumstances.
After addressing the rally in Mbinga—located more than 1,000 kilometers from Dar es Salaam—Lissu was forced into a police vehicle on Wednesday evening.
“I came here, we conducted a peaceful meeting, and now I recognize the tactics of the police. We are now cognizant of the situation; I will not get into the vehicle. There is no need for that. We will stay here. What is the problem?” Lissu questioned as police deployed tear gas on his supporters.
Human rights organizations have criticized President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration for its aggressive stance toward the opposition, an accusation the government denies. Lissu had previously survived an assassination attempt in 2017, after being shot 16 times, three years before the last election.
Tanzania is preparing to elect a new president and parliamentary representatives in October. CHADEMA has consistently raised concerns about the lack of an independent electoral body and legislation that favors CCM, which has held power since the country’s independence in 1961.
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