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A Tanzanian court has ruled that opposition leader Tundu Lissu must face trial after prosecutors established that he has a case to answer in a treason case that could carry a death sentence.
A three-judge panel delivered the decision on Friday, ruling that the prosecution’s evidence was sufficient for Lissu to defend himself against the charges.
“The court rules that the prosecution established a case which the accused needs to answer,” judge Dunstan Ndunguru said. The ruling followed weeks of proceedings in which prosecutors presented their case, including testimony from 17 witnesses.
Lissu, who leads Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema, was arrested in April 2025 and charged with treason over allegations that he incited the public to boycott the country’s elections. He has denied the accusations.
At the time of his arrest, Chadema was campaigning under the slogan “No Reforms, No Elections”, calling for changes to Tanzania’s electoral system before the vote.
The case has drawn international attention as Tanzania continues to face criticism over its handling of political dissent following violent protests linked to last November’s elections. Opposition groups and human rights organisations have accused security forces of using excessive force during the unrest, with claims that thousands of people were killed. Authorities have disputed those allegations.
Lissu returned to Tanzania from exile in 2023 but has remained a prominent critic of the government. His political career has been marked by repeated arrests and clashes with authorities.
In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt after gunmen attacked him in the capital, Dodoma. The attack left him with serious injuries and led him to seek medical treatment abroad.
The latest court decision means the treason proceedings against one of Tanzania’s most influential opposition figures will continue, placing renewed focus on the country’s political environment and human rights record.
