Tanzanian opposition leader makes defiant appearance at treason trial

The leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party has appeared in court at a hearing in an ongoing trial on charges of treason, in which he potentially faces the death penalty.

Tundu Lissu issued a message of defiance to supporters on Monday as he took his place in the dock at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in the capital, Dar-es-Salaam. The trial has added to rising concerns across East Africa about threats to democracy.

Lissu entered the courtroom with his fist raised in the air as supporters chanted, “No reforms, no election”, according to a video of the courtroom shared by his Chadema party on X.

“We will be fine. … Don’t worry at all,” Lissu said as he addressed supporters.

The opposition leader, who came second in the 2020 presidential election, insisted on attending the proceedings in person after being forced to appear via videolink from prison for an earlier hearing on April 24.

A series of high-profile arrests has highlighted the rights record of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who plans to seek re-election in October. She has insisted that the government is committed to respecting human rights.

However, several Kenyan rights activists, including a former justice minister, said they were denied entry to Tanzania as they tried to travel to attend Lissu’s trial.

The former minister, Martha Karua, a prominent lawyer and opposition politician, and former Supreme Court President Willy Mutunga were among those detained when they landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar-es-Salaam, they said on X.

Tanzania’s immigration spokesperson Paul Mselle did not immediately respond to requests for comment.