A Tanzanian court has sentenced opposition leader Tundu Lissu to four years in prison after convicting him of incitement. Lissu, the chairperson of the Chadema party, was found guilty of inciting people to disrupt last year’s election but was acquitted of the more serious charge of treason, as prosecutors failed to prove he intended to intimidate the government. The treason charge carried a potential death sentence.
Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, after addressing a rally that called for electoral reforms. He was subsequently charged with treason the following day. He has spent more than 18 months in detention and has denied wrongdoing, asserting that his speech was part of a legitimate campaign.
Supporters gathered outside the court, where Lissu arrived amid tight security. His elder sister and several Chadema leaders were present for the proceedings. Lissu had remained in custody during last year’s general election, during which presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from competing.
His detention has been complicated by disputes over access to his legal counsel. After prison authorities permitted him private meetings with his brother, he ended a brief hunger strike on Oct. 27, according to his lead lawyer. The election that followed Lissu's arrest saw protests and violence, with an inquiry reporting at least 518 deaths, though the actual toll is believed to be higher.
The judgment was delivered days after Lissu's elder brother died. Lissu had appealed to the court for release to attend the burial, stating, "Please, let me go and lay Mzee Alute to rest." He was returned to prison after the sentencing.
This is not the first time Lissu has faced threats; he survived an assassination attempt in 2017, during which he was shot 16 times, and has spent periods in exile due to threats against his life.