Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
Jailed Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu to Start a Hunger Strike; Lawyer in Tears Recalling Prison ‘Mistreatments’
Lawyers for detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu warned Saturday that authorities appear to be interfering in his treason and false information case, jeopardising his right to a fair trial. His lawyers say he will begin a hunger strike, demanding justice.
During a press conference at Dar es Salaam’s Seashells Millennium Hotel, attorneys for CHADEMA’s national chairperson expressed alarm over government and prison officials’ conduct, noting they appear to be treating their client as guilty before the court has even begun examining evidence in the case.
The defence team expressed particular concern over Home Affairs Minister Innocent Bashungwa and Attorney General Hamza Johari’s public justification of remote proceedings – a move they deem “prejudicial” ahead of the court’s scheduled May 6, 2025, ruling on the matter.
While defending the controversial decision on separate occasions, both Bashungwa and Johari characterised the remote proceedings as standard practice, accusing Lissu’s team of seeking special treatment. However, lead attorney Peter Kibatala countered that such statements from high-ranking officials could compromise his client’s right to a fair trial.
“We have already presented our arguments [against remote proceedings] before the magistrate,” Mr Kibatala told journalists. “The ruling on these arguments is set for May 6, yet people outside are making reckless statements. If this isn’t an attempt to pressure the court, then what is?”
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Retired Prime Minister Judge Warioba Calls for Political Consensus Ahead of October 2025 General Election
Retired Prime Minister and First Vice President, Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba, has called on all conflicting political sides to come to the negotiating table and reach a consensus as the country heads toward the general election scheduled for October 2025.
Speaking at a symposium on the 2025 General Election organized by the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Judge Warioba urged the government, the ruling party CCM, and opposition parties particularly CHADEMA to agree to dialogue in order to ease the ongoing political tensions.
“The country is facing serious challenges,” Warioba said. “National leaders should recognize the gravity of the situation and take action. We still have time to talk and reach an agreement.”
Judge Warioba emphasized that in the time remaining, all sides should be willing to soften their positions so that electoral flaws that have been criticized can be addressed before Parliament is dissolved at the end of June.
“If it’s about fixing technical issues, we still have time, because these are matters of procedure,” said Judge Warioba. “Let us reach an agreement; let us not go into confrontation.”
He noted that when President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office, she implemented many reforms that brought calm to the country particularly by reopening political space and bringing different groups to the table.
Judge Warioba added that recent tensions have resurfaced, but he believes President Samia still has a significant opportunity to bring all sides together again to reach political consensus before the general election.
Debate Ensued at the Arusha Economic Forum Following the Bank of Tanzania’s Prohibition on the Use of Foreign Currency
On May 02, 2025, the Bank of Tanzania reiterated its call to the public on the prohibition of using foreign currency for local transactions in Tanzania. This time around, the Bank also shared a mechanism with which the public can use in reporting violations to the Bank through email, fx.regulations@bot.go.tz.
The call follows the adoption of the Regulations on the Use of Foreign Currency, 2025, which were published in the Government Gazette No. 198, dated March 28, 2025. The regulation stems from the tabling of the government budget in the financial year 2023/24, where, among other things, the government committed to initiating measures to reduce the dollar shortage challenge in the country.
The regulation seeks to reduce dollarization in the country, which has been on an increasing pace, whereas between December 2020 and December 2024, the value of foreign currency deposits in the country has increased by 70 percent, from 6.8 trillion to 11.7 trillion, representing about 24 percent of the country’s extended broad money supply (M3). This signals the growing appetite of Tanzanians for holding foreign currencies. This has also been reflected in the depreciation of the shilling.
At the Arusha Economic Forum held on May 03, 2025, which was organized by the Arusha Regional Commissioner at the AICC, stakeholders have inquired about the regulation and implications for their businesses.
“There is so much at stake, our policy makers do not understand, the fluctuation of the shilling, and when we are dealing with [travel] agents who do not understand the Tanzanian shilling,” argued Lathifa Sykes, the Executive Director of the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania.
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Police to Investigate Allegations of Involvement of Officers in Abduction of CHADEMA Cadre Mdude Nyagali
Following the abduction of CHADEMA cadre Mdude Nyagali from his home in Mbeya Region, the spokesperson for the Tanzania Police Force has announced that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has formed a special team to investigate reports that some police officers may have been involved in the incident.
The police decision was made after a man identified as a CHADEMA member in Mbeya and a friend of Mdude reported that a few days before the abduction, he was approached by two police officers who offered him money in exchange for information on Mdude’s whereabouts.
One day before he was abducted, Mdude wrote on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he had information indicating that police officers were looking for him with the intention of arresting him.
“The Police Force is urging members of the public who have any information that could help uncover the truth behind this matter to come forward and cooperate by sharing those details,” the statement read.
The abduction has sparked public outcry on social media, with disturbing photos and videos circulating online showing large amounts of blood at Mdude’s home. His wife has claimed that the attackers identified themselves as police officers before beating her husband and taking him away, leaving her and their young child behind.
In response, CHADEMA leaders and supporters in Mbeya, led by the party’s Nyasa Zone Vice Chairman Frank Mwakajoka, said they are continuing to gather evidence to support their claims that the police were involved. Meanwhile, hundreds of party supporters have been combing through forests and drainage areas in search of Mdude, fearing he may have been dumped there.
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