Tanzania’s prominent opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason on Thursday for calling for electoral reforms ahead of the country’s planned general elections in October. Lissu, chairperson of the main opposition party CHADEMA, was arrested at a public rally in Mbinga, 1,000 kilometers from Dar es Salaam.
Lissu appeared in court, flanked by his lawyers and opposition politicians, despite being refused entry to a police vehicle earlier. Human rights activists have accused the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of using heavy-handed tactics against opposition leaders. The government denies these claims.
Tanzania is set to elect its president and members of parliament in October, with CHADEMA criticizing the lack of an independent electoral commission and laws that favor the ruling party CCM. Lissu survived a deadly assassination attempt three years ago after being shot 16 times, highlighting concerns about security and democratic freedoms in the country.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-opposition-chadema-tundu-lissu-arrest-7c9fa600b365a728c51e0dae32faab22