The treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has resumed after a five-month suspension, putting renewed attention on a case that has become a major point of debate over political freedoms and the rule of law in Tanzania.
Lissu, the chairman of the opposition Chadema party, has been in custody since April 2025 after being charged with treason, an offence that can carry the death penalty in Tanzania.
Speaking outside the High Court in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Lissu accused prosecutors of deliberately prolonging the proceedings to keep him in custody.
The trial had been suspended while prosecutors challenged a ruling that allowed additional evidence to be presented. Tanzania’s Court of Appeal rejected the challenge last month, allowing the proceedings to resume.
Chadema has described the case as a test of Tanzania’s commitment to democracy and political freedoms, arguing that the prosecution is being used against the opposition. The government has rejected such accusations.
Lissu’s case has attracted international attention, particularly amid concerns over the treatment of opposition figures and political protests surrounding Tanzania’s 2025 elections.
His supporters have accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of returning to some of the restrictive practices associated with the administration of her predecessor, John Magufuli. The government has denied allegations that it is deliberately targeting political opponents.
The resumption of the trial comes as Tanzania faces continued scrutiny over its political environment and the handling of opposition activities.
