Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu was arrested on Wednesday shortly after addressing a political rally in the southern town of Mbinga, sparking widespread concern among rights groups and political observers ahead of the country’s upcoming general elections.
Lissu, the vice chairman of the opposition CHADEMA party and a prominent critic of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), was reportedly taken into custody under unclear circumstances. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), CHADEMA said: “So far, the exact reasons for his arrest have not been made clear. Party leaders are closely monitoring the situation to determine the reasons for his arrest and his current whereabouts.”
Lissu’s arrest is the latest in a series of crackdowns on opposition figures in recent months, as political activity intensifies across the country ahead of the 2025 elections. CHADEMA has been holding rallies nationwide to mobilize support and push for electoral and constitutional reforms, which the party argues are necessary to guarantee a level playing field. Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the shrinking democratic space in Tanzania. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticized what they describe as increasing political repression, pointing to arrests, harassment, and restrictions on freedom of assembly targeting opposition leaders and supporters.
“This arrest sends a chilling message about the government’s tolerance for dissent,” said a spokesperson for the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project. “Without urgent reforms and a commitment to uphold political rights, Tanzania risks undermining the credibility of its electoral process.”
Tundu Lissu, a former presidential candidate who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, returned to Tanzania in 2023 after years of self-imposed exile. His re-engagement in domestic politics had reignited hopes among opposition supporters for a more open and competitive electoral environment. However, his detention may now signal a return to hardline tactics by authorities. The government has not yet issued an official statement on Lissu’s arrest. Meanwhile, calls are growing for his immediate release and for greater transparency in Tanzania’s pre-election conduct.
