Tundu Lissu

Tanzanian opposition politician and lawyer, national chairman of Chadema, on trial for treason in the High Court of Tanzania.

ReportedLatest source dated 2026-09-29Last reviewed 2026-10-26

What did Tundu Lissu actually say?

2026-09-18, High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry (treason trial)

Reported

“He is on the side of those who pray for, and will celebrate, my conviction”^[1]

Context. Closing his defence after saying a police witness he wanted to call, DCI Ramadhani Kingai, would not testify. Follow the source link for the full statement.

2026-09-18, High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry (treason trial)

Reported

“In these circumstances, I have no more witnesses”^[1]

Context. Telling the court he had no more witnesses, before final submissions set for 23 September 2026. Follow the source link for the full statement.

2025-04-09, Public rally, Mbinga, Ruvuma Region

Reported

“we held a peaceful meeting and now I understand the tactics of the police.”^[2]

Context. Speaking as police moved to detain him at the end of a rally calling for electoral reforms. Follow the source link for the full statement.

2025-02, First national address as Chadema chairman (venue not stated in source)

Reported

“we will be going all out to prevent it from taking place at all.”^[3]

Context. Setting out Chadema's 'No Reforms, No Election' position on the October 2025 general election, in his first national address as chairman. Follow the source link for the full statement.

Sources

Tundu Lissu closes defence after saying DCI Kingai will not testifyThe Chanzo, 2026-09-18, secondary source
Tanzania opposition party leader Tundu Lissu charged with treasonAl Jazeera, 2025-04-10, secondary source
Fresh battle as Lissu lays out plan to block elections in Tanzania without law reformsThe EastAfrican, 2025-02, secondary source

Change history

2026-10-26 Record published.

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