Tundu Lissu ordered to present defense in Tanzanian treason trial

Tundu Lissu treason trial CHADEMA Tanzania politics Samia Suluhu Hassan

A three-judge panel at the High Court in Dar es Salaam has ruled that opposition leader Tundu Lissu has a case to answer in his ongoing treason trial. Presiding judge Dunstan Ndunguru determined that the prosecution, which called 17 witnesses, provided sufficient evidence to require Lissu to present a defense.

Lissu, the chairman of the opposition party CHADEMA, is charged under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code. The state alleges that during a meeting on April 3, 2025, Lissu made statements intended to incite rebellion and disrupt the 2025 General Election. Lissu has denied the charges, characterizing the trial as a political attempt to prevent his participation in the electoral process.

As part of his defense, Lissu has requested the court to issue summonses to several high-ranking officials, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan, former Vice-President Philip Mpango, and the Inspector-General of Police. The treason charge carries a potential death penalty in Tanzania. The trial follows a period of political unrest and has drawn international scrutiny regarding the treatment of political dissent in the country.

Entities

Chadema · Dar es Salaam · Dunstan Ndunguru · High Court of Tanzania · Samia Suluhu Hassan · Tundu Lissu

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The court ruled that laws allowing prosecution witnesses to testify in absolute secrecy are unconstitutional. www.tzaffairs.org
[● 3 SOURCES] Lissu is charged with treason under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code. thechanzo.com · dailynews.co.tz · ntvkenya.co.ke
[● 4 SOURCES] The High Court ruled that Tundu Lissu has a case to answer in his treason trial. thechanzo.com · newscentraltv.com · dailynews.co.tz · ntvkenya.co.ke
[● 3 SOURCES] A conviction for treason in Tanzania can carry the death penalty. www.tzaffairs.org · newscentraltv.com · ntvkenya.co.ke
[● 3 SOURCES] The charges stem from remarks allegedly made on April 3, 2025, regarding the 2025 General Election. thechanzo.com · dailynews.co.tz · ntvkenya.co.ke
[○ 1 SOURCE] Lissu maintains the treason charges are fabricated to prevent his election participation. www.tzaffairs.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] Lissu has requested summonses for 11 witnesses, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan. thechanzo.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The prosecution called 17 witnesses during the trial. thechanzo.com · newscentraltv.com · dailynews.co.tz · ntvkenya.co.ke

Sources

High Court Finds Lissu Has a Case to Answer as He Seeks Summons for President Samia [thechanzo.com]

about 23 hours ago

TUNDU LISSU’S TRIAL | Tanzanian Affairs [www.tzaffairs.org]

about 1 hour ago

Lissu: Hakuna Mtu Asiyeweza Kuitwa Kuwa Shahidi Mahakamani – Video [globalpublishers.co.tz]

1 day ago

Lissu Treason Trial Moves Forward [newscentraltv.com]

1 day ago

‘Lissu has case to answer’ [dailynews.co.tz]

about 9 hours ago

Tanzanie : jugé pour trahison, l'opposant Lissu dénonce un "dossier politique" [information.tv5monde.com]

about 24 hours ago

NTV Kenya: Tanzania court rules Lissu has case to answer in treason trial [ntvkenya.co.ke]

1 day ago