Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Tanzania’s CHADEMA national chairman, Tundu Lissu, was dramatically arrested moments after addressing a public rally in Mbinga Town, Ruvuma Region.

Lissu, who has been spearheading the opposition’s 'No Reforms, No Election' campaign ahead of the 2025 General Election, was forced into a police vehicle under chaotic scenes, with his supporters tear-gassed and scattered.

"I came here, we held a peaceful meeting, and now I understand the tactics of the police. There is no need for this. We will sleep here. What is the problem," The Citizen quoted Lissu telling police before he was bundled away.

The veteran politician was arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, April 10.

He appeared in high spirits, flanked by a strong legal team and fellow opposition leaders. However, the court declined to take a plea on the treason charge.

Al Jazeera reports that Lissu’s defense counsel, led by renowned advocate Rugemeleza Nshala, described the charges as a politically motivated attempt to silence the opposition.

"You cannot separate these charges from politics. He was educating party supporters, not inciting rebellion. They have turned democracy into a criminal offense," Nshala said.

According to the charge sheet, Lissu allegedly incited rebellion during a rally on April 3 in Dar es Salaam.

"So we are going to spoil this election. We are going to really disrupt...We are going to spoil it very badly," he said, according to the charge sheet.

The treason case was accompanied by three additional charges of publishing false information under the Cyber Crimes Act.

These stem from statements made in a YouTube video where Lissu reportedly accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of manipulating elections, using police to steal votes, and appointing judges loyal to the ruling CCM party.

Prosecutors claimed the remarks were knowingly false and aimed at misleading the public.

Lissu’s arrest and arraignment have reignited criticism against Samia’s government, which initially earned praise for easing restrictions after the iron-fisted rule of her predecessor, John Magufuli.

Earlier, the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), officially endorsed Suluhu and Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi as its presidential candidates for the Union Government and Zanzibar, respectively.

This decision was unanimously approved during an extraordinary delegates' meeting held in Dodoma on January 19, 2025, attended by over 1,900 party members.

The meeting also saw the endorsement of Emmanuel Nchimbi, CCM's General Secretary, as Suluhu's running mate, following the resignation of Vice President Philip Mpango, who chose not to seek re-election but will continue serving until the elections. ​

Former president Jakaya Kikwete, a prominent CCM member, played a significant role in the endorsement process, expressing full support for the nominations and assuring party members of a strong victory in the forthcoming elections.

He highlighted the achievements of both Suluhu and Mwinyi, emphasising their positive impact on Tanzanians' lives and the country's development. ​

Source: TUKO.co.ke