Tanzania opposition leader Lissu jailed 4 years for incitement, cleared of treason

A Tanzanian court sentenced opposition leader Tundu Lissu to four years in prison for inciting unrest, while acquitting him of treason, according to allafrica.com and the Associated Press. The verdict followed a disputed presidential election and a crackdown on protesters, raising concerns about political freedom in Tanzania.

The three-judge panel at the High Court in Dar es Salaam found Lissu guilty of inciting people to disrupt the 2025 election but ruled that prosecutors failed to prove he intended to intimidate the government, a charge that could have carried the death penalty, the AP reported.

Lissu, chairman of the Chadema party, was arrested in April 2025 after calling for electoral reforms under the slogan 'No Reforms, No Election.' He denied wrongdoing and argued the charges were politically motivated, representing himself during the trial, allafrica.com noted.

The court stated that Lissu's statements were intended to disrupt elections and instigate violence, according to a judge cited by AFP. The case has drawn international condemnation and highlighted tensions in Tanzania's political landscape.

Lissu has been detained since April 2025, and his sentencing comes amid fears among protesters of repeated election violence under heavy security, as reported by allafrica.com.

The ruling clears Lissu of treason but marks a significant legal consequence for the opposition leader, reflecting ongoing political challenges in Tanzania.