Tanzanian court clears opposition leader Lissu of treason
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been cleared of treason charges but sentenced to four years in prison for incitement. Supporters and rights groups claim the conviction is a politically motivated attempt to suppress dissent.
Why it matters
The sentencing reflects a significant crackdown on political opposition and civil liberties in Tanzania following recent election unrest.
NAIROBI, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu was cleared of treason but found guilty of incitement and sentenced to four years in jail on Friday, in a case rights groups and his supporters say is politically motivated.
Police surrounded the courtroom in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam and crowds gathered nearby as authorities brought Lissu to the hearing in a heavily guarded convoy.
The chairperson of Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA was arrested in April last year and charged with treason in a case that helped fuel the worst political unrest in the country’s history during the October 2025 elections.
The charge related to a speech Lissu gave in which prosecutors say he told supporters that the opposition would “block the election” and “mobilise rebellion”.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in