Tanzania arrested opposition leader Tundu Lissu on Wednesday after he spoke at a rally. Police brought him to court Thursday facing treason charges - which carry the death penalty. The government claims he tried to encourage rebellion during a recent speech about disrupting upcoming elections. Officials quoted him saying, "We will inspire rebellion" and "We are going to spoil this election."
Lissu runs the main opposition party, CHADEMA, and finished second in the 2020 presidential race. The court denied him a chance to enter a plea for treason but allowed him to plead not guilty to spreading false information. His lawyer called the charges political, saying Lissu was simply educating supporters during campaign activities. The opposition leader survived an assassination attempt in 2017 when gunmen shot him 16 times.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces growing criticism over her human rights record as she campaigns for reelection. CHADEMA threatens to boycott October's elections unless major reforms happen first. The party argues that the current system unfairly helps the ruling party win. After taking office, Hassan initially gained praise for easing political restrictions, but critics point to increasing arrests of political figures recently.
Lissu runs the main opposition party, CHADEMA, and finished second in the 2020 presidential race. The court denied him a chance to enter a plea for treason but allowed him to plead not guilty to spreading false information. His lawyer called the charges political, saying Lissu was simply educating supporters during campaign activities. The opposition leader survived an assassination attempt in 2017 when gunmen shot him 16 times.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces growing criticism over her human rights record as she campaigns for reelection. CHADEMA threatens to boycott October's elections unless major reforms happen first. The party argues that the current system unfairly helps the ruling party win. After taking office, Hassan initially gained praise for easing political restrictions, but critics point to increasing arrests of political figures recently.
